Voices from the sessions

"We can't let the rich areas get richer and poor ones get poorer. Both the rich and the poor are children of their parents and should be treated equally, with as much love and support as the other."

Ji Binxuan, NPC deputy and Party secretary of Heilongjiang province, said the central government should maintain balanced investment in all areas.

"Without young talent, China's local operas will be difficult to preserve and pass on to new generations."

Hu Meiling, NPC deputy and well-known Yuju Opera performing artist, said some art schools have canceled opera-related courses due to fewer takers. The dearth of young performers is a dilemma most local opera troupes have to face, he said.

"If China's 400 million juveniles do not increase their physical exercise, they may become new 'Sick Men of East Asia'."

Yang Hua, CPPCC member and president of Beijing Sport University, quoted statistics to show that since 1985, the physical indicators of the young Chinese, like height, weight, chest circumference, flexibility, explosive power, strength, endurance and lung capacity, are all on a decline.

"Even if 80 percent of all residential properties are government-subsidized houses for low-income people, it can still drive the economy."

Cui Yongyuan, CPPCC member and an anchor for China Central Television, said the key point to solve the housing problem is whether government officials truly feel for the needs of their people. He suggests that the land transfer fund should be used exclusively for the construction of subsidized housing for low-income people.

"When you see children begging on the street, please do not open your purse, but call the police."

Pu Cunxin, CPPCC member and vice-president of Beijing People's Art Theater, said young beggars may be victims of human trafficking and abduction. He called for the establishment of an adoption system for street children and a platform to help those children find their families.

"For the same Banlangen granule, some charge 9 yuan while others charge 1 yuan. The difference in pricing is abnormal for a traditional Chinese medicine (that cures a cold)."

Li Zhenjiang, NPC deputy and board chairman of Shenwei Pharmacy Group, said the absence of internationally recognized standards have directly led to chaos and disorderly competition in the current Chinese traditional medicine market.

"We are trying to breed South China tigers with the same skills that are used to breed pandas."

Hou Rong, NPC deputy and head of Chengdu Panda Research Center, said her team is working on breeding of South China tigers, which are more rare than pandas.

China Daily