Public keep close eye on lawmakers, political advisors
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When China's famous hurdler Liu Xiang, also a member of China's political advisory body, was asked what proposal he was going to put forward to the annual national meeting, Liu's response was, "No proposals, I'm coming to learn."
Four years ago, the sports celebrity was selected as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), but he missed his first conference as he had a world championship in Spain. He missed the first part of the session in 2009 as he was receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Last year, the hurdler finally submitted two proposals -- one calling for the creation of an effective welfare system for coaches so to improve their livelihoods and earnings, and the other advocating active development of track-and-field sports, both of which were criticized as "empty."
"A lot of change (in the sports field) took place after my proposals were handed in. In Shanghai, incomes of athletes and coaches were raised," Liu told reporters when he was about to leave for Beijing last week for the CPPCC National Committee session. "Since I am a relatively young member, I should learn from others," he said.
However, Zhang Yiyi, a writer, accused Liu of "wasting taxpayers' money." As without proposals there was "nothing he could talk about during the meeting." Zhang said "Liu's biggest function (during the meeting) was being photographed" as celebrities attracted much media attention during the country's annual political event.
But others speaking in favor of Liu said the public should not demand too much from athletes, actors and singers who had been chosen as political advisors. Different from lawmakers, they are not elected by the public but chosen to represent a certain circle of the society and offer proposals for the development of their sectors.
"Without proposals, Liu, as a veteran sportsman, could still put forward suggestions during the discussions," said a commentary carried by the China Economic Net.
In fact, Liu has been just one of the many political advisors and lawmakers who were scrutinized or pricked by a growing number of online population in China during the ongoing session of the national legislature and the meeting of the CPPCC National Committee.
With microblogging taking hold in China, the words of the lawmakers and advisors have quickly been commented on by the public and disseminated across the country.
Microbloggers criticized Ma Weihua, president of China Merchants Bank, for his off-the-cuff remarks during the ongoing "two sessions" about the surge in housing prices. They also pointed finger at Wang Ping, another political advisor, who had said that rural children were "not encouraged to attend college."
There are also many lawmakers and advisors who won high praises from the public. Prof. Li Daokui of Beijing-based Tsinghua University who is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People's Bank of China, was sighted by a blogger when taking subway after a meeting of the CPPCC National Committee session. It is taken for granted that he would drive his own car or use vehicles provided by the conference.
Lawmaker Huang Xihua, chairwoman of Guangdong's Huizhou Science and Technology Association, was hailed a role model for legislators and political advisors. Huang conducted a thorough investigation on China's road transportation services that had been blamed for many irregularities. She then put forward detailed proposals on management of highways' toll collection system.
"We have conducted an experiment: If a logistics company strictly abides by the law, the company would earn nothing but lose 3,200 yuan (484.8 U.S. dollars) after sending a truck of goods from Guangzhou to Beijing," Huang said during a meeting of the ongoing session.
"The cost from Guangzhou to Beijing is even more expensive than that bound for the United States," she said, adding that's a reason why people try to evade road fees or overload vehicles.
Microblogger "88" said online that Huang was a "real people deputy" thanks to her down-to-earth investigative manner. Huang, who has submitted 31 proposals to the ongoing session, said the government paid great attention to each proposal and provided responses explaining the handling of the problems raised, which has enhanced lawmakers' enthusiasm in deliberating state affairs.
Mei Xingbao, a political advisor and former president of the state-owned China Orient Asset Management Corporation, said conducting investigations and submitting proposals were major tasks for CPPCC members.
Lawmaker Chen Shu from southern Guangdong Province said performance of NPC deputies, who function as lawmakers and supervisors, should also be subject to public supervision. "We represent the people, should also be supervised by the people," Chen said.
