1、The annual sessions of Chinas top legislature and advisory body conference are set to open this weekend in Beijing.Improving peoples livelihoods is high on agenda again this year.Income distribution, housing price control and fair educational opportunities will likely be the focuses of the sessions.
2、Zhang Shuangfeng has the story.The latest government figures indicate that the annual per capita GDP in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou is 80,000 yuan, or more than 12,000 U.S. dollars - close to the World Banks standard for developed countries. Yet, the general public remains concerned about the ri
3、sing cost of living, housing prices and food safety in these cities.Xiao Yu, who has been working in Beijing for more than two years, says her life in the capital is not satisfying.I have worked for two years but saved little money as I spend most of it on rent and transportation. I hope I can make
4、more money and save more in the next few years.Zhou Qingjie, an economics professor at Beijing Technology and Business University, says GDP growth does not automatically mean an increase in personal happiness.It is not so appropriate to equate GDP and happiness. GDP is more an index to measure domes
5、tic production in a year, regardless of pollution, product quality or food safety problems. The gap between the rich and the poor or how much leisure time one person has are also excluded.Last year, the per capita income of Chinas urban residents rose 8.4 percent, while that of rural residents grew
6、by 11.4 percent year-on-year. But because of Chinas large population and weak economic foundation, such development is still lower than many peoples expectations.Chinas central government has emphasized that improving peoples livelihoods will continue to be its top priority.Yu Jianrong, a researcher
7、 at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Research, says local governments should play larger roles in this regard.The central authorities lay out policies, and local government should take measures to realize the goals. For example, if we conduct residency-permit reform locally, the left-behind child
8、ren whose parents are working in cities may be able to live and receive the same education as their city peers.Experts say the significance of improving peoples livelihoods is about more than just boosting the standard of living. It is vital to maintaining social stability and harmony. It is a topic worthy of debate among the deputies and representatives at the upcoming sessions.For CRI, Im Zhang Shuangfeng.
