Political advisors brainstorm on next five-year plan

China's senior political advisors wrapped up a three-day meeting to discuss a wide spectrum of issues and pool wisdom for the drafting of the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

Attendees at the Standing Committee meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee proposed scientific rural reform based on meticulous study of actual situations, calling for a focus shift from quantity to safety, environment and efficiency.

Political advisor Liu Xiaozhuang stressed the role of large-scale, mechanized and standardized farming in rural modernization, noting the transfer of rural land as an issue the five-year plan must address.

Concerning environmental protection, advisors recommended a performance evaluation system for organs and officials that integrates their contributions to green living, with a focus on the use of resources and environmental damages.

Political advisor Zhu Yongxin called for strict enforcement of the environmental protection law and severe punishments for misconduct. "The liabilities of those causing environmental damages should be pursued without an expiration date."

Attendees agreed that more efforts should be made to guide the public to voluntarily protect the environment.

Other topics such as medical reform, education and economic growth were also discussed during the meeting, which was presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

China has drafted five-year plans since 1953 to map out strategies for overall economic and social development, setting growth targets and defining development policies. Endi