Deputies to the National People’s Congress come from all parts of China and from many walks of life. For some, this will be there first National Congress – to serve for five years as a representative for the people of their area. For others, it will be business as usual, in a changing China. To find out how the people of China are best served by their chosen representatives, china.org.cn takes a close-up look at the Congress deputies and what concerns they have for the China of today.
Here we meet Zhou Haiying,, a former radio engineer and son of Lu Xun, father of modern Chinese Literature.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I live in Beijing.
Q: What is your profession?
A: I used to be a radio engineer.
Q: What is the issue of most concern to people in your area of China?
A: Many things like transportation, credibility, “shoddy” products and overcharged tax fees on taxi drivers.
Q: What proposals have you made, or what did you hope to accomplish at this session?
A: Nothing yet. I am concerned about some “trivial topics”.
Q: What have you seen achieved over the last five years?
A: I once raised a proposal on promoting the use of the electric bicycle. The proposal was finally rejected though it was published on the CPPCC Times. Many people objected that the lead pollution from storage batteries from electric bicycles would be a misfortune. But I thought that electric bicycle would be convenient, fast and only occupying a very small space. In particular, it would be good for older people because it saves labor. As for lead pollution: abandoned storage batteries from automobiles cause lead pollution ten times more serious than that from electric bicycles.
Q: When the Conference is not in session, how do you exercise your responsibilities as a CPPCC member?
A: I still work for the CPPCC though I don’t work in an office. I have been a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for a couple of terms.
Q: What is your hope for the future?
A: All ordinary people can enjoy better lives.
(China.org.cn by Staff Reporter Chen Chao, March 10, 2003)
