At the 12th Standing Committee meeting of the Ninth National Committee of CPPCC yesterday in Beijing, it was announced that 97.9 percent of the proposals and suggestions sent to specific committees of the CPPCC by organizations in various sectors had been dealt with.

The proposals displayed a deep concern with the difficulties facing the country as it develops, and put forward lots of suggestions on key issues like the development of western China, how to tackle challenges the country might face after entering the World Trade Organization (WTO), the country's law, adjusting the economic structure, building a good infrastructure, combating corruption and rejuvenating the nation through science, technology and education.

Some specific items have been sent for consideration by the central government and the State Council after study and research by CPPCC experts and economists.

A further 2,711 proposals attracted a lot of attention from relevant government departments and received a good response, said He Guangyuan, director of the proposals committee.

He said 1,502 proposals, 44.5 percent of the total, focused on economic construction.

Suggestions for preparations the agricultural industry needs to take after China enters the WTO, raised by the Jiu San Society (September third Society), were considered by the committee and passed on to central government.

The Ministry of Agriculture is now speeding up the formulation of relevant policies and measures.

CPPCC members put forward 500 proposals on how to use science and education to China's advantage.

The CPPCC also promised to put forward more suggestions to help improve the current work of the government this year, contributing to the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), said He.

The annual session of the CPPCC National Committee is scheduled to begin on March 3.

(China Daily 02/27/2001)