CCTV9英语新闻：NPC deputies debate gov't plans, budget

NPC deputies continued to review this year’s government work report budget proposal on Tuesday. The deputies approved many of the proposals for development and aired views on how to carry on innovations.

Legislators are continuing their studies of the 13th five year plan and the government work report. Deputies from Anhui province in central China said they have approved the major suggestions concerning the country's expansion plan.

"We need to nurture the development of emerging sectors, develop modern equipment manufacturing, and upgrade the existing industries in an environment friendly manner," said Li Jinbin, NPC deputy.

Li is the governor of Anhui Province and he has promised structural reforms and to make the province a key player in China's belt and road initiative.

The fiscal budget is another thing. An increased budget deficit aims to lift investment and consumption. The central government has also pledged 40 percent more spending than last year to eliminate poverty. Spending on public welfare projects is also high on the agenda.

"We have the huge task of poverty alleviation. We would largely increase our spending on the improvement of livelihood, which will account for about 85 percent of the total expenditure this year. The 30 billion yuan will cover public projects, poverty alleviation, and social development," said Bi Xiaobin, NPC deputy.

Bi is the mayor of Lu'An city in Anhui province. He said his government needs to lift 460 thousand people out of poverty over the next five years.

The deputies are also heatedly debating what's left void in the current system, such as protection of intellectual property rights.

"We need to beef up the protection strength on intellectual property. The current penalty is sub-standard, and it takes high costs and a long time for victims to defend their intellectual property rights. In the long run, it would discourage the enthusiasm of the enterpreneurs," said Yang Guisheng, NPC deputy.

Yang says the current fines are based on the losses from past years. He suggests that the penalties should be much more severe and based on the potential losses caused by counterfeits in the past and more importantly, in the near future.

Other suggestions involve culture industries, urbanization, and environmental protection. Deputies were to continue their review and discussions in closed-door meetings in the afternoon.

This is how the deputies exercise their right as legislators, examining and deliberating plans for economic and social development. Their advice and suggestions will be put together and submitted in the next few days for more consideration by the NPC.