New Vision Guides New Journey: Practicing Whole-Process People's Democracy Gathers Immense Strength for National Rejuvenation
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that whole-process people's democracy is an essential attribute of socialist democratic politics and is the broadest, most genuine, and most effective form of democracy. During the Two Sessions, representatives and members listened to public opinions, gathered wisdom, offered sincere advice, and contributed suggestions. The thoughts and aspirations of hundreds of millions of people are continuously integrated into the top-level design for the development of the Party and the country, highlighting the strong vitality of whole-process people's democracy in the new era and pooling immense strength for building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation. Starting in spring and moving towards the future. Nearly 3,000 National People's Congress (NPC) deputies and more than 2,000 Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee members gathered in Beijing for the grand event to discuss state affairs. NPC deputies, elected through democratic processes, and CPPCC National Committee members, recommended through consultation, are both "close friends" who represent the people and "leaders" who guide them. Every year during the Two Sessions, deputies and members, with a sense of responsibility and commitment, actively offer advice and suggestions across various fields of economic and social development and people's livelihoods, including employment, income, education, healthcare, elder care, and childcare. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has engaged in heartfelt exchanges and discussed state affairs with deputies and members at every Two Sessions. Frank communication, cordial interaction, and joint deliberation on good policies reflect the true nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with the people's leader taking the lead in practicing whole-process people's democracy, listening broadly and gathering collective wisdom. Many constructive opinions and suggestions put forward by deputies and members have been responded to by various localities and departments through the institutional arrangements of the Two Sessions and absorbed into the formulation of policies and measures, thereby promoting the substantive resolution of problems. At last year's Two Sessions, He Guanghua, an NPC deputy, submitted a proposal on "strengthening the construction of charging and battery swap infrastructure for new energy vehicles" to address new energy vehicle owners' "charging anxiety." This proposal garnered high attention from six departments, including the National Energy Administration, which successively introduced policies and measures to further strengthen the planning and construction of charging infrastructure. At this year's Two Sessions, based on her research, Deputy He Guanghua will continue to offer advice and suggestions on how to further leverage the mobile energy storage advantages of electric vehicles and strengthen the application of vehicle-grid interaction technology. Tang Xudong, a CPPCC National Committee member and academician of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, led 13 members in jointly submitting a proposal at last year's Two Sessions concerning the weak primary-level Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) service capabilities and talent shortages. A year later, members like Tang Xudong are delighted to see that through central transfer payments, 450 county-level TCM hospitals have established specialized TCM departments, and nearly 42,000 TCM clinics have been built in primary healthcare institutions nationwide. Approximately 46,000 key TCM personnel have been trained. Through in-depth research and full deliberation, the opinions and suggestions of deputies and members converge to form a powerful force driving economic and social development. According to statistics, during the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in 2024, NPC deputies conscientiously fulfilled their duties, submitting 9,235 suggestions, criticisms, and opinions, which were handed over to 213 handling units for research and processing. In the past year, more than 2,000 CPPCC National Committee members submitted over 5,000 proposals, and the opinions and suggestions in these proposals were incorporated into policy documents, playing a positive role in scientific and democratic decision-making.
Our Station to Broadcast Opening of 3rd Session of 14th CPPCC National Committee Tomorrow
The Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open in Beijing at 3:00 PM on March 4. Wang Huning, Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, will deliver a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee. At that time, China Central Television (CCTV) General Channel, News Channel, Chinese International Channel, China Global Television Network (CGTN) foreign language channels, and 4K Ultra HD Channel; China National Radio (CNR) Voice of China, Voice of the Greater Bay Area; China Radio International (CRI) Global Information Radio and other frequencies will provide live broadcasts. CCTV News, Yangshipin, CCTV.com, and other key central new media platforms will broadcast simultaneously.
People's Daily Editorial: Building Broad Consensus, Pooling Great Strength – Warmly Congratulating the Opening of the 3rd Session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee
Tomorrow (March 4), People's Daily will publish an editorial titled "Forging Broad Consensus and Pooling Great Synergy – Warm Congratulations on the Opening of the Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference." The editorial points out that further uniting hearts and minds to continuously consolidate the great unity of all ethnic groups in the country and strengthening the great unity of Chinese people at home and abroad means the CPPCC has a glorious mission and bears great responsibility. By effectively undertaking the political responsibility of implementing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the requirements for the work of the CPPCC, and uniting the wisdom and strength of Chinese people at home and abroad, it will certainly be able to gather more hearts, consensus, wisdom, and strength for advancing Chinese modernization.
Press Conference for 3rd Session of 14th CPPCC National Committee Held Today
The press conference for the Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held this afternoon (March 3). Liu Jieyi, the spokesperson for the session, announced that the Third Session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee will open at 3:00 PM on March 4 at the Great Hall of the People and close on the morning of March 10, lasting six days. In response to a reporter's question, Liu Jieyi stated that last year marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC and was also a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Over the past year, the CPPCC has persisted in enhancing its performance capabilities with a spirit of reform and innovation, actively offered advice on governance, broadly built consensus, and continuously deepened its various functions. Over the past year, the CPPCC focused on key and difficult issues in advancing Chinese modernization, further comprehensively deepening reform, promoting high-quality development, and maintaining social harmony and stability, offering advice and suggestions. At the press conference, the spokesperson also answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on issues such as China's high-quality economic development and the promotion of traditional Chinese culture.
NPC Deputies and CPPCC Members Fulfill Duties: Gao Huarui: The "New Responsibilities and Actions" of Online Ride-Hailing Home Services
Today (March 3)'s "Stories of Deputies and Members Fulfilling Duties" introduces us to Gao Huarui, a skilled professional from the household service industry and a National People's Congress (NPC) deputy. Gao Huarui is a recipient of the "National May 1st Labor Medal." She started as a novice domestic worker and gradually grew into a professional in the industry. These days, Gao Huarui is busy training new online household service workers, helping them master service skills and learn how to take orders online. In recent years, with the rapid development of the platform economy, the number of new employment forms of workers, such as online household service workers, has increased significantly. How to improve the professional skills of these workers has always been a key focus for Gao Huarui. At the 2024 Two Sessions, she put forward a proposal on "developing and improving the household service vocational education system and promoting the healthy development of the household service industry," which was adopted by relevant departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Education, and translated into specific policies and measures. During her research, Gao Huarui also learned that the demand for care for infants aged 0-3 and the elderly is growing rapidly, but current community services are relatively limited. At this year's Two Sessions, she will propose suggestions on stimulating the vitality of new employment forms of workers and innovating service models.
China's Emerging Service Industries Show Strong Growth
The National Bureau of Statistics announced that newly released national economic census data show that China's tertiary industry has steadily expanded its operating scale, with emerging service industries demonstrating strong growth. They have become an important force driving economic growth and promoting full employment. During the five years of the fifth national economic census, the number of corporate units engaged in tertiary industry activities nationwide increased by 9.222 million, a growth of 53.7%; the number of employed personnel increased by 25.6%. While traditional service industries developed steadily, emerging service industries showed strong momentum. Among them, the revenue of information transmission, software, and information technology services, scientific research and technical services, and leasing and business services increased by 117.0%, 92.5%, and 88.1% respectively. Over these five years, the newly added employed personnel in these sectors accounted for nearly half of all new employees in the tertiary industry. The service industry is accelerating its high-end development, with the number of high-tech service enterprises accounting for over one-quarter of large-scale service enterprises, achieving a revenue increase of 101.5%, providing strong support for accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces.
Multiple Departments Increase Financial Support for Private Enterprises
Recently, the People's Bank of China and multiple other departments stated that they will make significant efforts to resolve the difficulties and high costs of financing for private enterprises, jointly creating a better development environment for them. The People's Bank of China stated that it will implement a moderately loose monetary policy, leverage the role of structural monetary policy tools, and increase credit extended to private and small and micro enterprises. It will effectively implement the 25 measures supporting the private economy through finance, and strengthen bond market institutional building and product innovation. The National Financial Regulatory Administration and the China Securities Regulatory Commission stated that they will further unblock diversified financing channels for private enterprises, including equity, bonds, and loans, and increase the input of various financial resources and elements; they will ensure the implementation of policies such as the "Eight Measures for the STAR Market" and the "Six Measures for Mergers and Acquisitions" to support the development and growth of private enterprises through the capital market. Several financial institutions stated that they will increase credit support for private enterprises in the future. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China plans to provide no less than 6 trillion yuan in investment and financing to private enterprises over the next three years, increasing the supply of credit and medium-to-long-term funds to support private enterprises in focusing on their main businesses and strengthening their real economy operations.
Trade-In Policies Accelerate Green Circular Industry Development
Driven by the national "trade-in" policy, China's home appliance recycling industry is experiencing rapid growth. While the market size continues to expand, it also accelerates the development of China's green circular economy. At this used mobile phone recycling company, reporters observed robots on a fully automated assembly line inspecting used mobile phones, conducting over 70 checks on each phone, from appearance to screen, and from buttons to cameras. Statistics from the China Circular Economy Association show that since the implementation of the national "trade-in" policy, the market size for recycling used electrical and electronic products in China has continuously expanded. In 2024, the recycling volume of used home appliances increased by 14.83% year-on-year, and the number of standardized dismantled used home appliances increased by 20% year-on-year. The significant increase in recycling scale has driven continuous innovation in China's electronic product recycling technology. At the first domestic home appliance recycling interconnected factory in Qingdao, Shandong, 2 million used home appliances can be dismantled annually, and 30,000 tons of recycled new materials can be regenerated. Used home appliances are meticulously disassembled into materials such as copper, iron, aluminum, and plastic, with a recycling rate of over 95%. At a factory in Tianjin, every used mobile phone, from doorstep collection to logistics and transportation, to sorting and dismantling, and finally to melting in the furnace, is fully monitored by video and data tracking. Consumers can view the entire process through a mini-program on their mobile phones. This year, the country will also strengthen scientific and technological breakthroughs in major equipment for recycling and utilization, improving the technical level and efficiency of recycling and processing. Support will be given to the construction of high-level recycling projects. The central government will continue to allocate special funds to support the recycling and processing of waste electrical and electronic products, promoting the healthy development of the industry.
Shenzhou-20, Shenzhou-21 Astronaut Crews Selected, Undergoing Training
Reporters learned from the China Manned Space Agency today (March 3) that China will launch the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft and one cargo spacecraft in 2025. The astronaut crews for the two manned missions have been selected and are currently undergoing relevant training. During the two manned missions, the main tasks will include carrying out astronaut extravehicular activities and cargo airlock module extravehicular tasks, continuing space science experiments and technological tests, conducting platform management work, astronaut support-related work, and important activities such as popular science education. Currently, the China Space Station is operating stably in orbit and demonstrating good benefits, having carried out over 180 space science research and application projects, involving fields such as space life science and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies, achieving multiple pioneering results.
Post-Disaster Reconstruction Work Begins Today in Tibet's Tingri After 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake
Today (March 3), the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction work for the 6.8 magnitude Dingri earthquake in Tibet commenced in Gurong Village, Changsuo Township. The village post-disaster recovery and reconstruction project includes 8 entire villages, such as Gurong Village in Changsuo Township, involving residential buildings and supporting infrastructure. Residential buildings are the focus of post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Local authorities have scientifically formulated reconstruction plans and are coordinating the promotion of supporting infrastructure construction, adopting a combination of "unified planning and unified construction" and "unified planning and self-construction" to advance the construction of residential buildings, ensuring that residents move into safe and comfortable new homes as soon as possible.
Yang Fasen, Former Member of Qinghai Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Former Secretary of Political and Legal Affairs Committee, Expelled from Party and Public Office for Serious Violations
Recently, with the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission initiated an investigation into Yang Fasen, an alternate member of the 20th Central Committee and former member of the Standing Committee of the Qinghai Provincial Party Committee and former Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, for serious violations of discipline and law. Upon investigation, it was found that Yang Fasen had lost his ideals and convictions, betrayed his original mission, was disloyal and dishonest to the Party, and failed to effectively fulfill his primary responsibility for comprehensively strict Party governance; he violated the spirit of the Central Eight-point Decision by accepting banquets and tourism arrangements that might affect fair execution of public duties, and illegally borrowed vehicles; he failed to truthfully explain issues during organizational talks and sought benefits for others and accepted money and gifts in personnel selection and appointment processes; he breached the integrity bottom line by illegally accepting and giving gifts, and illegally engaged in profitable activities; his greed expanded, engaging in power-for-money transactions, using his position to seek benefits for others in engineering contracts and business operations, and illegally accepting huge amounts of property. Yang Fasen seriously violated the Party's political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, and lifestyle discipline, constituted serious duty-related violations, and is suspected of bribery crimes, and did not restrain himself or stop after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The nature of his actions is severe and has a detrimental impact, and he should be dealt with seriously. In accordance with relevant regulations including the Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the Communist Party of China, the Supervision Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Law on Punishments for Public Officials of the People's Republic of China, after deliberation by the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and review by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, it was decided to expel Yang Fasen from the Party; the National Supervisory Commission decided to dismiss him from public office; his qualification as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Party was terminated; his illicit gains from disciplinary and illegal activities were confiscated; and his suspected criminal issues were transferred to the procuratorial organs for review and prosecution in accordance with the law, with all related property also transferred. The decision to expel him from the Party shall be affirmed at the next plenary session of the Central Committee.
Domestic News Snippets
China's Agricultural Insurance Premium Scale Ranks First Globally in 2024. The National Financial Regulatory Administration announced that in 2024, China's agricultural insurance premium income reached approximately 150 billion yuan, providing risk coverage exceeding 5 trillion yuan, making it the country with the largest agricultural insurance premium scale globally. In the past five years, China's agricultural insurance premium income has grown at an average annual rate of 16.2%, maintaining a rapid development momentum. China to Orderly Promote Renovation and Upgrading of Accessibility Facilities. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development recently announced that this year, China will orderly promote the renovation and upgrading of accessibility facilities. Localities should formulate plans according to local conditions, with a focus on supporting the installation of elevators in existing multi-story residential buildings in old urban communities, and encouraging the installation of elevators in pedestrian overpasses and underpasses in main roads, commercial areas, and large residential areas. Centralized Procurement Results for Cochlear Implants to Be Implemented This Month. Starting this month, the results of the centralized procurement of cochlear implants will be implemented across the country. At the end of last year, the national centralized procurement covered 11,000 sets of cochlear implant medical consumables, with the price per set dropping from an average of over 200,000 yuan to around 50,000 yuan. This batch of cochlear implants includes a new generation of cochlear implants that support MRI examinations, meeting the needs of more hearing-impaired patients. Shenzhen Releases New Measures to Optimize Business Environment. Shenzhen recently released a new round of work plans to optimize the business environment, proposing new measures in five areas: government services, innovation services, talent services, financing services, and spatial services, to provide personalized and precise services for entrepreneurs. First Domestic "Silk Road Maritime" E-commerce Express Line Exports Exceed 2 Million Pieces. Xiamen Customs announced that since its opening in 2023, the first domestic "Silk Road Maritime" e-commerce express line has operated 126 voyages, with a container throughput of 93,000 TEUs and a cargo value of 14.71 billion yuan. Among them, cross-border e-commerce cargo exports reached a new high of 2.003 million pieces. Closure of Cofferdam for Phase II of Huaihe River into the Sea Project and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The cofferdam for the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the first critical construction node of the Huaian Hub Project of Phase II of the Huaihe River into the Sea Project, was successfully closed yesterday (March 2), officially entering the peak construction phase of the main project. Upon completion, the project will effectively alleviate flood control and drainage pressure in the middle reaches of the Huaihe River and create favorable conditions for shipping from the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the sea. Population of Flagship Wild Animal and Plant Species in China Continues to Grow. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced that in recent years, the population of flagship wild animal and plant species in China has continued to grow, and their habitats have steadily improved. The populations of giant pandas, snow leopards, Siberian tigers, Asian elephants, and other species have also maintained a growth trend, and 206 endangered plant species have been effectively protected. TV Series "Northward" to Air Tonight on CCTV-1. The TV series "Northward" will air tonight (March 3) in prime time on CCTV-1. The drama, with the rise and fall of the Canal Economic Belt over a century as its main thread, tells the story of six young people along the canal who grow up together, accompany and know each other, and venture northward to strive for success, multi-dimensionally presenting a vibrant and dynamic new era.
International Community Focuses on China's Two Sessions, Expects China's High-Quality Development to Add More Growth Momentum to the World
People from many countries are paying close attention to the upcoming Two Sessions in China. They stated that China insists on promoting high-quality development and is committed to making the fruits of development benefit all people. They look forward to China's further development in various fields adding more growth momentum to the world. People from many countries expressed that China's rich development experience and scientific strategic planning continuously provide development lessons for other countries, and they look forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with China in multiple fields.
Russia Claims Offensive Against Ukrainian Forces in Multiple Directions; Ukraine Claims Destruction of Russian Rocket Launcher Systems
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 2nd that Russian forces launched multiple offensives in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk directions, destroying Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles, artillery, and other equipment, as well as electronic base stations, material depots, and other targets. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on the 2nd that 72 combat engagements occurred in the front-line areas that day. Ukrainian forces destroyed Russian tanks, armored vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems, and other targets in the Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions.
London Summit Pledges Continued Support to Ukraine; Russia Says Some European Countries Seek to Prolong Conflict
Leaders from over 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Ukraine, and Canada, as well as organizations such as the European Union and NATO, held a meeting in London on the 2nd to discuss issues concerning Ukraine and European defense. British Prime Minister Starmer stated that the meeting reached a four-point plan, including continuing military support to Ukraine, reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine's participation, and establishing an alliance to maintain the peace agreement. Starmer said that all parties agreed that the UK, France, and other countries would work with Ukraine to formulate a ceasefire plan and discuss it with the United States. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated today (March 3) that Ukraine needs peace, and security guarantees are key to achieving this goal. Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said that the plan by European leaders was an attempt to prolong the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, at the London summit, the participating European leaders agreed that Europe must increase defense spending and enhance its own defense capabilities.
International News Snippets
Russian Aerospace Forces Successfully Launch Military Satellite. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian Aerospace Forces today (March 3) conducted a space launch at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia, successfully launching a military satellite into its designated orbit using a Soyuz carrier rocket. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not disclose the specific mission of the satellite. Multiple Parties Oppose Suspension of Aid Access to Gaza Strip. Israel announced on the 2nd that it would halt all aid access to the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas's rejection of a temporary ceasefire. A Hamas spokesperson stated on the same day that this move was a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian National Council issued a statement saying that this was part of Israel's plan to forcibly displace the people of the Gaza Strip and that Israel's decision openly violated international law. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated that Israel's actions would once again put millions of Gaza residents who have been struggling to survive for over a year in extreme danger. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the 2nd called for an immediate resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. South Carolina Declares State of Emergency Due to Wildfires. On the 2nd, wildfires continued to spread in South Carolina, with over 175 fires burning. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the state due to widespread wildfires. According to local forestry department data, wildfires in the state have burned approximately 6.5 square kilometers of forest land. Wildfires are also burning in North Carolina, with a total burned area exceeding 2.2 square kilometers, and the fires remain out of control.
China in Spring
As spring returns to the land and everything comes back to life, flowers are blooming across China. At the end of the program, let's journey into "China in Spring."