Providing advice on the development of the recently opened Shanghai free trade zone will be a focus of the city’s political advisory body in the coming year, deputies heard yesterday.
Innovation in government management also featured among tasks highlighted at the Second Plenary Session of the 12th Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which opened at the Expo Center.
The 29-square-kilometer free trade zone was launched in late September as a test bed for China’s leadership’s drive to deepen market-oriented reforms.
Chairman of the standing committee of the 12th CPPCC Shanghai Committee Wu Zhiming told delegates that they have a vital role to play in the city.
“Shanghai is at a key stage of reform and overcoming difficulties. We need political advisers to give their voices and serve the city better,” said Wu.
Yesterday’s session set the main tasks for this year and recapped on work during 2013.
Almost 800 deputies attended, joined by representatives from foreign consulates in the city.
The meeting adopted a report on how proposals from CPPCC members had been handled since the last session.
Up to January 8, some 951 proposals had been submitted by political advisers on Shanghai’s economic development, democracy, legal system, culture and environment.
Almost 75 percent of proposals were adopted or solved and just over 6 percent are to be solved. Just under 19 percent were kept for reference, deputies heard.
The Shanghai People’s Congress, the city’s legislative body, will hold its opening ceremony today at the Expo Center.
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