Nation set to sail on charted path of growth: China Daily editorial

The National People's Congress plays a unique role in stabilizing the socioeconomic development of the country, which was evident on the concluding day of the fifth session of the 13th NPC on Friday.

Unlike the lawmakers of some so-called democratic countries, where the interests of the rich and the powerful generally come first, the NPC deputies focus on the people's needs and concerns, and a major part of their work is focused on strengthening the legal system to ensure the economy and society run smoothly so people can lead a better, happy life.

As such, a considerable part of the motions and proposals they put forward during the NPC's annual session over the past week echoed the people's requirements such as improving pre-school education, increasing nursing services for the aged and cracking down on human trafficking.

And to meet these needs, it is essential that the country maintain healthy economic growth, which is targeted at around 5.5 percent this year.

Despite the Ukraine crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, not to forget climate change, rising global inequity and unilateralism, increasing global uncertainties and slowing global growth, China has maintained steady growth, mainly because it has followed its own development path and the people have faith in the central leadership's decisions.

Keeping these factors in mind, the nearly 3,000 deputies to the NPC submitted 487 motions, among which 474 were related to legislation or law revisions, at the NPC session.

They also put forward more than 8,000 suggestions covering almost all walks of life, from promoting innovation and developing high-standard farmland to boosting the digital economy and enhancing law-based governance, all with the aim of improving people's livelihoods.

Since the deputies closely follow the major decisions and plans of the central government, and analyze people's feedback on every decision the authorities make, they can suggest measures needed to improve the legal system in a way that can cover all aspects of a fast developing country and help meet the needs of the people.

As Premier Li Keqiang said at the news conference after the conclusion of the NPC annual session on Friday morning, all the measures China takes are aimed at overcoming the long-term challenges as well as addressing the immediate problems with the economy.

And as the modernization of China is a long-term process, the country will continue to use development to resolve the problems emerging in the process of development while always putting people's interests first.

Among other things, therefore, the central leadership will focus on maintaining steady growth in order to improve people's livelihoods. Which shows China is determined to sail on its charted course in spite of the strong headwinds.