International: The 18th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) concluded in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. The session focused on “strengthening efforts to safeguard and improve people’s living standards and firmly advancing common prosperity for all.” Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the closing session and delivered a speech.

Wang said that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee, with Xi Jinping at its core, has adhered to a people-centred development philosophy, worked to win the largest anti-poverty campaign in human history, and established the world’s largest education system, social security system, medical and healthcare system, and urban housing security system.

These efforts have continuously improved people’s living standards, enhanced their sense of fulfilment, happiness and security, and achieved historic progress in improving people’s livelihoods, he said.

Wang Huning said it is essential to understand the significance of the “Two Establishes” and firmly uphold them. At the same time, the CPPCC must remain committed to the principle of serving the people, assist the Party and the government in promoting development for the people, and steadily advance common prosperity for all.

He further called for efforts to unite the people extensively, build consensus, pool wisdom and consolidate strength in order to accelerate the advancement of Chinese modernisation.

Wang Huning said common prosperity is an important goal of socialist modernisation, while improving people’s living standards is of paramount importance in Chinese modernisation. He said the CPPCC should thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important remarks on safeguarding and improving people’s living standards and firmly advancing common prosperity for all.

He further said that, with a focus on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and relevant tasks and programmes concerning the 15th Five-Year Plan, the CPPCC should strengthen efforts to improve people’s living standards during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. It should also conduct in-depth consultations on promoting high-quality full employment, improving the income distribution system, providing people with satisfactory education and building a Healthy China.

Wang Huning said CPPCC members should be organised to offer more advice on improving people’s well-being and undertake more work for the benefit of the people.

Through these efforts, the CPPCC can help ensure the effective implementation of the decisions and programmes of the Party and the state, so that the benefits of modernisation can reach all people in a broader and fairer manner, he said.

Wang Huning also called on the CPPCC to complete its annual tasks to a high standard, maintain its focus on consultation and deliberation, and conscientiously organise important commemorative and unity-building activities.

Source: Ruby-Foysal-Suborna, China Media Group.