Xi Jinping was reelected unanimously to a third term as Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) at a plenary session of the National People's Congress on March 10. Zhao Leji was confirmed as Chairman of the NPC, while Wang Huning became Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Han Zheng, a former Party Secretary and Mayor of Shanghai who is no longer a Member of the CPC Politburo, was elected to the largely ceremonial post of Vice President of the People's Republic of China, replacing Wang Qishan. On March 11, President Xi nominated Li Qiang to the post of Premier, which was endorsed by the NPC.
Several state leaders were elected at the NPC:
President & CMC Chairman: Xi Jinping
Vice President: Han Zheng
NPC Chairman: Zhao Leji
CPPCC Chairman: Wang Huning
State Council Premier: Li Qiang
Supreme People's Court President: Zhang Jun
SPP Procurator General: Ying Yong
A new State Council (China central government) was appointed at the NPC session on March 12:
Premier: Li Qiang
Executive Vice Premier: Ding Xuexiang
Vice Premier: He Lifeng
Vice Premier: Liu Guozhong
Vice Premier: Zhang Guoqing
State Councilor & Defense: Li Shangfu
State Councilor & Foreign Affairs: Qin Gang
State Councilor Shen Yiqin
State Councilor & Public Security: Wang Xiaohong
State Councilor & Secretary General of the State Council: Wu Zhenglong
MINISTRY OR COMMISSION: NAME
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Tang Renjian
Ministry of Civil Affairs: Tang Dengjie
Ministry of Commerce: Wang Wentao
Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Hu Heping
Ministry of Ecology and Environment: Huang Runqiu
Ministry of Education: Huai Jinpeng
Ministry of Emergency Management: Wang Xiangxi
Ministry of Finance: Liu Kun
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Qin Gang
Ministry of Housing & Urban-Rural Development: Ni Hong
Ministry of Human Resources & Social Security: Wang Xiaoping
Ministry of Industry & Information Technology: Jin Zhuanglong
Ministry of Justice: He Rong
Ministry of National Defense: Li Shangfu
Ministry of Natural Resources: Wang Guanghua
Ministry of Public Security: Wang Xiaohong
Ministry of Science & Technology: Wang Zhigang
Ministry of State Security: Chen Yixin
Ministry of Transport: Li Xiaopeng
Ministry of Veteran Affairs: Pei Jinjia
Ministry of Water Resources: Li Guoying
National Audit Office: Hou Kai
National Commission of Supervision: Liu Jinguo
National Development & Reform Commission: Zheng Shanjie
National Ethnic Affairs Commission: Pan Yue
National Health Commission: Ma Xiaowei
People's Bank of China: Yi Gang
Several ministers in the previous government kept their posts, including Minister of Finance Liu Kun, Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang.
President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the first session of the 14th NPC on March 13. He said people's trust was his biggest motivation to forge ahead. “I will faithfully fulfill my responsibilities bestowed by the Constitution, with the nation's needs as my mission and the people's interests as my yardstick,” he said. From this day forward to the mid-21st century, “the relay baton of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation has been historically passed on to our generation,” he said. The country should fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts and accelerate efforts to create a new pattern of development, he added. He called for fully implementing the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, and following the workforce and the innovation-driven development strategies. Putting the people first was a must, as they are decisive in building China, he said. “Security is the bedrock of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperity,” he added. He called for implementing the policy of “one country, two systems,” for Hong Kong and Macao and the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus in cross-Strait relations, resolutely opposing external interference and “Taiwan independence”, and firmly advancing the process of national reunification. China's development benefits the world and China cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, President Xi said. We will be dedicated to peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, stand firmly on the right side of history, practice true multilateralism, and uphold the shared values of humanity, he said.
In earlier remarks to a joint group meeting with CPPCC members, Xi reaffirmed unwavering support for the private sector, pledging steps to bolster confidence among private businesses and entrepreneurs, reduce their burdens and promote their healthy and high-quality growth. Capable businesses should enhance their independent innovation and contribute more to the nation’s self-reliance in science and technology as well as the commercial application of research, Xi added. Zeng Yuqun, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Founder and Chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery supplier, said: “We are inspired to give full play to our policy advantages and market advantages to accelerate the development of new technologies and applications of new products.” According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), private enterprises have contributed about 50% of the country’s tax revenue, 60% of gross domestic product (GDP), 70% of technological innovation and 80% of urban employment.
A group of NPC and CPPCC Members have also submitted multiple proposals on the future development of private enterprises, as the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) proposed to make a national law to promote the private sector. Pi Jianlong, CPPCC National Committee Member and head of Beijing Jintai Law Firm, said: “There are certain deficiencies in the protection and support of the private sector in the current laws, especially a lack of legislation. Seen from a market perspective, private enterprises still face invisible access barriers, especially in sectors such as finance, petroleum and electric power.”
This overview is based on reports by the China Daily, Global Times and South China Morning Post..
