Nigeria Times

By Zhao Zhanhui, People’s Daily

China’s State Council Information Office hosted a policy briefing on March 1, at which relevant officials from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and other departments were invited to introduce China’s efforts to optimize payment services and enhance payment convenience.

Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the PBOC, noted that the PBOC, in collaboration with other departments, has drafted a document on further improving payment services and enhancing payment convenience, with a focus on improving the weak links in payment services for elderly people and foreigners in China.

The document has recently been reviewed and approved by a State Council executive meeting, Zhang added.

The document highlights six key measures: promoting the usability of foreign bank cards in key places, continuously improving the cash payment environment and enhancing foreign currency exchange and cash services, making payment services more friendly to the elderly and foreigners, better protecting consumers’ right to choose payment methods, encouraging banks and payment institutions to further optimize the account opening process, and carrying out diverse and targeted promotional activities.

In recent years, mobile payment has been developing rapidly in China. Yet some foreigners coming to China face challenges with mobile payment, such as the difficulty in binding their overseas bank cards and limits on spending amounts.

Zhang said the PBOC will request and instruct payment institutions such as Alipay and Tenpay to streamline their operating procedures, improve the efficiency of binding overseas bank cards, and simplify identity verification while ensuring the security of personal information.

Besides, the PBOC will also guide major payment institutions to raise the single transaction limit for overseas travelers using mobile payment from $1,000 to $5,000, and lift the annual cumulative transaction limit from $10,000 to $50,000.

According to Zhang, efforts have been made to make foreign wallet apps usable in China, and 13 such apps have been introduced to China by Alipay and Tenpay so far.

According to statistics, nearly 4 million foreigners used mobile payment in China last year, who made over 70 million transactions totaling more than 10 billion yuan ($1.39 billion).

“We highly respect the practice of foreign nationals in China making large payments using bank cards. In major commercial areas, airports, and railway stations, we are guiding commercial banks and payment institutions to expand the acceptance of foreign bank cards,” Zhang said.

The PBOC is comprehensively improving foreign currency exchange, ATM cash withdrawal, and other related services.

Additionally, to address the difficulty of getting change for cash payments, it has required commercial banks to provide “change packs.”

“For example, a 300-yuan pack contains nothing but small-denomination notes,” said Zhang. “No matter if it’s a taxi driver or a restaurant owner, they can exchange for these packs to make it easier to provide change.”

Many foreign visitors to China have complained about the difficulty of using cash to pay for cultural and tourism services and products. To address the issue, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the PBOC have jointly issued a notice requesting strict crackdowns on the refusal of cash payments in RMB. The notice aims to ensure sufficient overall cash supply and a reasonable denomination mix in major cities and tourist attractions.

Departments attending the briefing said they will implement comprehensive measures and work together to create a favorable payment environment.

Liu Bin, director general of the Current Account Management Department of China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, said the administration will keep encouraging more foreign currency exchange institutions to provide better exchange services for foreigners coming to China, and further meet their needs for mobile payment and online consumption.

The establishment of hardware and software facilities required for mobile payment, bank cards payment and cash payment at tourist attractions will be advanced, said Shi Zeyi, a person in charge of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Gao Bo, a person in charge of the Transport Service Department of China’s Ministry of Transport, noted that the Ministry of Transport has adopted a series of targeted measures, including accelerating the popularization of online ticketing, to facilitate both domestic and foreign nationals in purchasing tickets online using various identification documents such as ID cards, passports, and permanent residence permits.

Zhao Yang, a person in charge of the Department of Foreign Investment Administration of China’s Ministry of Commerce, said the Ministry of Commerce will improve payment acceptance environment in catering and other sectors, ensuring availability of manned service and traditional payment methods. It will refine standards of the retail industry to provide diversified payment services. It will also leverage the exemplary role of international consumption center cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing to create a favorable payment environment.

By Qi Yukun, People’s Daily

Whenever he has time, Qian Haijun, a community manager in the customer service center of the power supply company of State Grid in Cixi, east China’s Zhejiang province, would conduct door-to-door research with a small notebook.

Qian, also a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), discussed experiences of carbon reduction with company managers and energy-saving measures with local residents. He gathered suggestions on topics like new energy transformation and green electricity trading, and then brought them to the NPC meetings.

To make proposals that better align with public opinion and reality, researcher Jiang Qi with the Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), had frequent field research to learn about the expectations of livestock farmers. He has brought “fresh” proposals to the meetings of the top political advisory body currently held in Beijing.

NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members from all walks of life extensively listen to the voices of the people. Each “golden idea” that gathers the collective wisdom of the people showcases the unique charm of China’s whole-process people’s democracy, invigorating socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics with robust vitality.

There are various ways to achieve democracy. The people’s congress system and the CPPCC system enrich the forms of democracy, and demonstrate unique and significant institutional advantages.

NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members actively fulfill their duties and conduct thorough research on various issues such as community governance, ecological conservation, and rural revitalization. They gather wisdom from all and draw on the strengths of all, contributing their insights to the ultimate goal of delivering a better life for the people.

The stories bear witness to the harmonious blend of democracy and people’s livelihoods, showcasing the true value of democracy.

The stories of NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members fulfilling their duties reflect the methodologies for advancing national endeavors. Promoting Chinese modernization is an exploratory undertaking of hundreds of millions of Chinese people and thus they are the main actors in this process.

By learning about the needs of the people and seeking their advice, identifying practical issues from the pressing concerns of the people, and drawing inspiration from the vibrant practices of the people, China can better arouse the will for unity, rally the strength for striving, and blaze new trails forward.

In order to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life, the “two sessions,” which refer to the annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC National Committee, have become an important platform that pools wisdom for practical strategies and good advice to achieve high-quality development.

With an aim to meet the people’s aspirations for a better life, the “two sessions,” gathering more wisdom and strength from the public, are unfolding a magnificent picture across the country that improves people’s well-being and enhances their quality of life.

By Zhong Yin, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for focusing on high-quality development as the top priority and developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions during the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s national legislature.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he participated in a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from east China’s Jiangsu province.

Focusing on the cause of the Party and the country, he expounded on major issues such as developing new quality productive forces. He called for planning major moves to further comprehensively deepen reform and continued efforts to consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, which offered important guidance for steadily advancing Chinese modernization.

With innovation playing the leading role, new quality productive forces are advanced productivity in essence, which features high quality.

Over the past year, the Chinese economy has been on a generally sound track of rebound, with the country’s GDP surpassing 126 trillion yuan ($17.5 trillion). China’s modern industrial system has become more robust, witnessing the rapid rise of a number of high-end, intelligent, and environmentally friendly new pillar industries. Significant progress has been made in key and core technologies, with continuous emergence of innovative achievements in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

New quality productive forces have emerged in practice and exhibited their strong role in driving and supporting high-quality development. They will help realize development with a higher level of quality, efficiency, equity, sustainability and security.

Promoting high-quality development concerns the overall progress of China’s socialist modernization. Currently, there are still numerous factors that hinder high-quality development.

New quality productive forces represent the evolutionary direction of advanced productivity. They are shaped by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading, featuring high technology, high efficiency, and high quality.

Developing new quality productive forces is an endogenous requirement and a pivot of high-quality development, and an inevitable choice to promote the iteration and upgrading of productivity and realize modernization.

In the face of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, only by seizing opportunities, intensifying innovation efforts, nurturing and strengthening emerging industries, proactively planning and developing future industries, and improving the modern industrial system, can China accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and continuously shape new driving forces and advantages for development.

Developing new quality productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries, Xi said. It is necessary to prevent a headlong rush into projects and the formation of industry bubbles, and avoid adopting just a single model of development, he noted.

He stressed developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions, charting the course and providing science-based methods for upgrading traditional industries and promoting high-end, intelligent and green development.

China has a vast territory with diverse regional conditions. When developing new quality productive forces, it is crucial to start from the actual situation. Localities should take into account their own resource endowment, industrial foundation and scientific research conditions in promoting the development of new industries, models and growth drivers in a selective manner.

Reform holds the answers to development issues. Developing new quality productive forces, it is necessary to further comprehensively deepen reform and establish compatible new productive relations.

Xi said it is necessary to build a high-standard socialist market economy system, to improve and implement institutional mechanisms to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and to encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, and deepen reforms in sci-tech, education and talent management systems.

It is also important to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, he said.

He clarified the strategic focuses and main directions for the major moves to further comprehensively deepen reform.

Looking ahead, China will focus on addressing institutional and systemic barriers that hinder the smooth progress of Chinese modernization, remove obstacles and bottlenecks that impede the development of new quality productive forces, and stimulate the vitality of labor, knowledge, technology, management, capital, and data, among other factors of production.

These efforts will undoubtedly inject strong momentum into promoting high-quality development and advancing Chinese modernization.

By Li Xinping, Huang Fute, Lin Lili, People’s Daily

This year, various regions and departments in China have been actively developing new quality productive forces, seeking new strategies and taking proactive measures.

Deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) stressed the importance of vigorously developing strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and electronic information.

They believe this will help foster future industries, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and enhance the momentum for high-quality development.

With innovation playing the leading role, new quality productive forces mean advanced productivity that is freed from traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths, features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and comes in line with the new development philosophy.

New quality productive forces are in essence advanced productivity that features innovation and focuses on high quality, which are of great significance for accelerating the development of a modern industrial system, said Yu Xubo, a deputy to the 14th NPC.

Yu, also the chairman of Genertec, a centrally-administered state-owned enterprise, noted that Genertec has teamed up with Chongqing University of Technology to promote the industrialization of the nanometer time-grating technology, which has been widely applied in advanced computer numerical control machine tools and robotics, thereby contributing to the development of the Chinese high-end equipment industry.

In 2023, China’s production of new energy vehicles reached 9.443 million units, up 30.3 percent from a year ago. The output of solar cells, including photovoltaic cells, surged 54 percent year-on-year to reach 540 million kilowatts. It also produced 7.83 million sets of service robots, with a year-on-year increase of 23.3 percent.

“Developing new quality productive forces helps foster a batch of large-scale and influential pillar industries, and also accelerates the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, thus enhancing the resilience of the Chinese economy, and effectively upgrading and appropriately expanding China’s economic output,” said president of Sun Yat-sen University Gao Song, a deputy to the 14th NPC.

In 2023, the added value of the high-tech manufacturing industry rose by 2.7 percent year-on-year, and investment in high-tech industries grew by 10.3 percent from a year ago, which indicated a continuous accumulation of new momentum.

Developing new quality productive forces needs technological innovation, which builds an engine for high-quality development through original, disruptive, and cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, Yu said.

Last year, China’s annual expenditure on research and development (R&D) surpassed 3.32 trillion yuan ($462.28 billion), an increase of 8.1 percent compared to the previous year.

“The rapid development of new technologies such as next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences will accelerate the reshaping of the global industrial and supply chain pattern, profoundly altering the comparative and competitive advantages of countries around the world,” said Gao. He emphasized the need to focus on the world’s scientific and technological forefront and apply the achievements to promote high-quality development.

Zhao Yuliang, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, believes that new quality productive forces should be developed by growing the talent chain, enhancing the technology chain, activating the innovation chain and upgrading the industrial chain.

Zhao said that China ranks top globally in terms of the total quantity of talent resources, sci-tech human resources, and R&D personnel. Therefore, it is necessary for the country to further facilitate a virtuous cycle of education, science and technology, and talent, so as to improve the mechanisms for talent cultivation, introduction, utilization, and rational mobility.

Accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces can create a new engine for economic growth.

Upgrading and transforming traditional industries is crucial. Dai Hegen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, said that traditional industries serve as the foundation of the modern industrial system, and new quality productive forces can effectively drive the productivity of traditional industries.

Taking the construction engineering industry as an example, he stated that there is still enormous potential for the development and utilization of underground spaces in cities. Therefore, it is necessary to expedite the R&D and utilization of specialized equipment for intelligent exploration and construction in the deep underground of cities, in order to promote the high-quality development of the industry.

Developing and strengthening strategic emerging industries is important. “Strategic emerging industries are characterized by active innovation and intensive technology, providing enormous potential for the development and growth of new quality productive forces,” said Gao Wen, a deputy to the 14th NPC, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and director of Pengcheng Laboratory.

According to him, China’s strategic emerging industries have flourished in recent years, which accounted for approximately 13 percent of China’s GDP.

The forward-looking layout should be made for future industries. “Although future industries are still in their infancy, they can play a crucial role in guiding economic and social development,” said Zhao, adding it is urgent to plan for future industries and accelerate the formation of new quality productive forces.

“In the era of AI, computing power and energy are important resources,” said Gao Wen. He said the Pengcheng Laboratory is developing a large model focusing on key aspects such as model algorithms and training systems, aiming to empower various industries with AI.

By Zhang Jiaying, Wang Zi, People’s Daily

The first “passage interviews” of ministers for the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) was held at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing on March 5.

Heads of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) responded to the concerns of the various sectors of society, including promoting sci-tech innovation, advancing national water network construction, ensuring national food security and developing new quality productive forces.

“Last year, China accelerated the implementation of major scientific and technological projects, and continuously improved its strategic strength in science and technology, showing new momentum in development,” said Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology.

In 2023, China’s investment in research and development rose 8.1 percent year-on-year to more than 3.3 trillion yuan ($458.4 billion), accounting for 2.64 percent of the country’s GDP in the same period. In particular, investment in basic research was 221.2 billion yuan, up 9.3 percent from the previous year.

Last year, 950,000 technology contracts were signed in China, with total transaction volume reaching 6.15 trillion yuan, up 28.6 percent from a year ago. The number of authorized invention patents stood at 921,000, up 15.3 percent year-on-year.

China has also made major original achievements in fields such as quantum technology, integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, biomedicine and new energy, according to Yin.

Data show that young talents are gradually becoming the mainstay. It is reported that 80 percent of the projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China were undertaken by individuals under the age of 45. More than 1,100 projects supported by the National Key Research and Development Program were led by young scientists under the age of 40, accounting for over 20 percent of the total.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology will strive to create a favorable research environment for better growth and development of young sci-tech talents. It will provide opportunities, build platforms, and address key concerns such as income, treatment, and family issues for them,” Yin said.

Water conservancy is of strategic importance for a country’s overall development, long-term growth, and the well-being of the people.

In 2023, China’s water conservancy construction accelerated comprehensively, with a record-breaking annual investment of nearly 1.2 trillion yuan, an increase of 10.1 percent compared to the previous year, said Li Guoying, Minister of Water Resources.

Li noted that the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council have issued a guideline on national water network construction, with the goal of establishing a national water network that is well-equipped, secure, efficient, green, intelligent, smoothly circulated and well-regulated by 2035. The guideline also plans to build a national water security system that is compatible with the basic realization of socialist modernization.

Last year, although some parts of China suffered severe natural disasters, the country still reported total grain output of over 695 million tons, an increase of 8.88 million tons compared to the previous year, reaching a new historical high, said Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

According to him, the per capita grain possession stood at 493 kilograms last year, an increase of 7 kilograms from a year ago, higher than the internationally recognized grain security line of 400 kilograms.

Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the SASAC, said that this year, China’s centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) aim to achieve high-quality development through high-level synergy, effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity.

“In the first two months of this year, some key industries have performed well. The social electricity sales of central SOEs increased by 13 percent, automobile sales by 15 percent, and aviation and logistics transportation volume by 59 percent from a year ago,” said Zhang.

“This indicates that the positive trend of economic growth is being consolidated, and we have full confidence in doing a good job in managing state-owned enterprises and assets this year,” Zhang added.

To strengthen their role as the main force driving technological innovation to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, central SOEs should further promote independent innovation and increase investment, Zhang said.

They should adhere to open innovation, integrate into the global innovation network, and establish cooperative relationships with domestic research institutions, universities, leading private enterprises, and innovative private enterprises, Zhang added.

To promote industrial upgrading, it is necessary to focus on high-end, intelligent, and green transformations to enhance the efficiency of traditional industries. Strategic emerging industries and future industries should also be given prominent positions.

“By 2025, the proportion of revenues from strategic emerging industries in central SOEs should reach 35 percent, and early preparations should be made in areas such as brain-like intelligence, quantum information, and controlled nuclear fusion,” said Zhang.

By Peng Fei, People’s Daily

Wang Yongcheng is a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and vice chairman of  the China Disabled Persons’ Federation. As a person with visual impairment, he suggested that large-print textbooks be published for low-vision students enrolled in regular schools during the “two sessions” last year.

His suggestions were later handled and responded to by multiple agencies while a law on the building of a barrier-free environment was drafted. As a result, provisions related to his suggestion were incorporated into the third draft of the law.

To make the replies to his proposal more accessible, the NPC produced a Braille version of the replies for the first time. “For us with visual impairments, such democracy is really tangible,” Wang said. During this year’s “two sessions,” he feels more confident in fulfilling his duties.

The “two sessions” is not only an important platform for participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, but also an important opportunity to address livelihood and practical issues.

To evaluate the quality of Chinese democracy through the “two sessions,” one must look at both the content and quality of the suggestions and proposals, as well as how these suggestions and proposals are handled and implemented.

Only by promptly responding to, swiftly acting on, and effectively addressing the suggestions and proposals, and turning “good advice” into “concrete measures,” can the country truly deliver a sense of fulfillment to the people.

The continuous improvement of systems, such as a mechanism for coordinating the handling of proposals and suggestions, a whole-process communication mechanism, a mechanism for supervising key proposals and suggestions, a mechanism for tracking the handling of proposals and suggestions, and a work mechanism for handling proposals and suggestions when the NPC is not in session, has enabled high-quality proposals and suggestions to be better translated into practical measures, providing strong support for reform and development.

This also exemplifies the value of “doing everything for the people” and highlights the unique advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.

In February 2022, a digital working platform designed to assist China’s lawmakers in better performing their duties was officially launched, enabling the full cycle of online processing of the proposals and suggestions put forward by deputies to the NPC.

After the “two sessions” of 2023 concluded, over 8,000 chat groups were established on WeChat to facilitate the handling of proposals and suggestions. By embracing digital technologies and establishing online connections, geographical and time constraints have been overcome, allowing more brilliant ideas to be transformed into practical solutions for addressing problems.

Integrating mental health education into the daily teaching at schools, safeguarding the “right to disconnect” of employees… At this year’s “two sessions,” these down-to-earth proposals concerning people’s wellbeing are highly anticipated.

It is believed that through this platform of the “two sessions,” China will make greater strides in delivering tangible benefits to the people by effectively addressing their practical needs and concerns.

By Zhou Nan

On the morning of March 5, the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) is held in Beijing. The Chinese government work report delivered a series of impressive achievements and highlights, boosting people’s confidence in the future.

These include a GDP exceeding 126 trillion yuan ($17.5 trillion), the creation of 12.44 million jobs in urban areas, a grain output of 695.41 million tons, and a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase in the per capita disposable income of residents.

This hard-earned performance bears witness to every effort, as well as the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy amidst challenges. While maintaining a strong momentum of economic growth, new industries, business models, and growth drivers have expanded rapidly, injecting innovation and vitality into the Chinese economy, and providing a solid foundation for high-quality development.

New industries experienced rapid growth. Industries are the foundation of the economy.

In recent years, traditional industries in China have accelerated their transformation and upgrading, while strategic emerging industries have flourished. The future industries are being planned in an orderly manner.

Therefore, time-honored brands have been rejuvenated, new entities are full of vitality, and green industries are developing rapidly. This contributes to a more solid and powerful pace towards high-quality development.

Today, dozens of quantum enterprises have gathered along Yunfei Road in the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone in east China’s Anhui province; in the Optics Valley, or East Lake High-tech Development Zone in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province, a cluster of optoelectronic information industry have reported total value of over 500 billion yuan.

A group of high-end, intelligent, and green new pillar industries is rapidly emerging, showing China’s significant progress made in the development of a modern industrial system and accumulating strong momentum for the country’s economic development.

New business models have ignited new vitality. During the just-concluded Spring Festival holiday, Yabuli Ski Resort in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province welcomed a daily average of over 130,000 visitors, while the ice and snow parks in Zhaosu county, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region were filled with laughter and joy. The new business forms combining winter tourism, cultural tourism and winter sports have become new consumption trends.

In recent years, there has been accelerated development in the integration of urban and rural cultural tourism, as well as the emergence of live-streaming e-commerce, social e-commerce, instant retail, and cross-border e-commerce. These continuous innovations of new business models, forms, and scenarios have further stimulated the potential of consumption.

Last year, the contribution of final consumption expenditure to China’s economic growth reached 82.5 percent, and the added value of services accounted for 54.6 percent of the country’s GDP. Consumption played as a robust engine, and the economic structure continued to optimize, which fully demonstrates the high quality of the Chinese economy.

New growth drivers have built new advantages. Developing new quality productive forces is an intrinsic requirement and an important focus of promoting high-quality development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for focusing on high-quality development as the top priority and developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions when he participated in a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from east China’s Jiangsu province during the second session of the 14th NPC.

China has made significant progress in the development of high-end equipment such as aircraft engines, gas turbines, and fourth-generation nuclear power units. Innovation achievements in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology continued to emerge.

China’s scientific and technological innovation has achieved new breakthroughs, with fruitful results made in the research and development of core technologies in key fields. The country’s ability to drive development through innovation is continuously improving.

Accelerating the development of new quality productive forces will undoubtedly provide strong impetus and support for high-quality development, continuously enhancing the momentum and resilience of economic growth.

To understand the overall trend of the Chinese economy, it is important to consider both the short-term situation and long-term momentum, as well as focus on both the quantity of growth and the quality of development.

China’s economic performance in 2023, as reflected by new industries, business models, and growth drivers, not only indicated the growth and quality of the Chinese economy, but also proved that the fundamental trend of the economic recovery and long-term positive outlook has not changed and will never change.