BEIJING, Jan 19 (Xinhuanet): Providing advice on the development of the recently opened Shanghai free trade zone (FTZ) will be a focus of the city's political advisory body in the coming year, deputies heard Saturday.
Innovation in government management also featured among tasks highlighted at the Second Plenary Session of the 12th Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which opened at the Expo Centre.
The 29-square-kilometer free trade zone was launched in late September as a test bed for China's leadership's drive to deepen market-oriented reforms.
Chairman of the standing committee of the 12th CPPCC Shanghai Committee Wu Zhiming told delegates that they have a vital role to play in the city.
"Shanghai is at a key stage of reform and overcoming difficulties. We need political advisers to give their voices and serve the city better," said Wu.
Yesterday's session set the main tasks for this year and recapped on work during 2013.
Almost 800 deputies attended, joined by representatives from foreign consulates in the city.
The meeting adopted a report on how proposals from CPPCC members had been handled since the last session.
Up to January 8, some 951 proposals had been submitted by political advisers on Shanghai's economic development, democracy, legal system, culture and environment.
Topics covered everything from renovating old lifts and strengthening food safety monitoring to promoting international courses in local high schools.
Seventy-four proposals addressed pollution, a key concern of city residents. Air pollution last month was the worst on record.
"Expats will not complain too much but simply leave Shanghai if the air pollution is beyond their scope to endure," Piter de Jong, Shanghai branch manager of Holland's ING Bank NV and a committee member, told Shanghai Daily.
Shanghai FTZ ‘is focus of advisers’
FE Team | Published: January 20, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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