New quality productive forces call for meaningful input from political advisers

The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top political advisory body, concluded on Sunday in Beijing.

A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisers have been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were all approved at the closing meeting of the session.

Consisting of more than 2,000 members from all walks of life, mostly experts, professionals and industrial leaders in their respective fields, the 14th CPPCC National Committee has played its part well over the past year, and made its due contribution to helping the country fulfill its socioeconomic development objectives. The country’s gross domestic product grew by 5.2 percent in 2023 year-on-year, which was undoubtedly a hard-earned result given the tremendous downward pressure on the economy caused by internal and external uncertainties and risks.

China’s development still faces many unpredictable factors this year. To achieve the annual economic growth target of around 5 percent will be challenging given the comparatively high base of last year.

That requires the country’s political advisers to provide support for the authorities, as they work to stimulate domestic demand, foster innovation and smooth the economic cycle by demonstrating their expertise, knowledge and experience in the form of practical suggestions to aid the efforts of the policymakers and lawmakers.

The country has to vigorously shape new drivers for high-quality economic development and create new advantages; it must strive to strengthen its innovation-driven development, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and make great efforts to forge new competitiveness; and it must enhance the resilience and competitiveness of its industry and supply chains.

To these ends, the CPPCC National Committee members are expected to help put meat on the bones of the concept of “new quality productive forces”. The development of such productive forces was introduced as one of the 10 key tasks for this year in the Government Work Report, which demands the nation strengthen its scientific and technological innovation, especially original and major scientific and technological innovations, and fight for key core technologies.

At the same time, the country has to persist in consolidating its agricultural foundation so it can firmly hold the rice bowl in its own hands, accelerate reform of its financial system, address the challenges posed by its fast aging society and negative population growth — China’s population reduced 2.08 million last year and 15.4 percent of its population were aged 60 and above — and the lingering risks of local government debts that are aggravated by the contraction of the real estate sector and the impacts of the vicissitudes of geopolitical situations.

All of these are tough tests for the political advisers, who are expected to offer valuable insights and suggestions to the policymakers. The advisers need to find a proper position and clear direction for their active participation in the policymaking process, and perform their duties by better leveraging the characteristics and advantages of their respective sectors. They should conduct in-depth investigations and research in their fields of expertise so they can proactively offer recommendations and proposals to help the government successfully complete its tasks for the year and achieve its targets.

By being good advisers, helpers and partners to the ruling party, they can ensure it better meet the needs of the country and people in this challenging time.

Editorial, China Daily