Proposals play key role in creating policies

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY Affairs related to retirement, pension and employment have drawn attention from national legislators and political advisers, whose suggestions and proposals have been well reviewed by central departments and are being shaped into practical policies for social and economic advancement. Central departments under the State Council, China's Cabinet, have reviewed and handled 8,783 proposals by deputies to the National People's Congress and 4,813 suggestions by members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference last year, with progresses of improving people's livelihood and advancing economic development being reached, according to the State Council Information Office. Tang Chengpei, vice-minister of civil affairs, said at a news conference in Beijing on Friday that pension issues of the elderly and social relief have attracted great attention from national legislators and political advisers, with the ministry handling 313 proposals and 174 suggestions respectively last year to offer assistance to the needy people. The ministry has also channeled greater efforts to improve the pension services to the elderly based on some proposals and suggestions from national legislators and political advisers last year. The Ministry of Finance has also responded concerns from national legislators and political advisers last year on affairs of social benefits including employment, pension services, healthcare and education.