CPPCC members concern about curbing CPI hikes

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-09-2008 13:07

For most ordinary people, a key concern is the rising cost of daily necessities. And China's top political advisors are taking this on board at their yearly CPPCC session.

Economist Li Yining is predicting price-falls in the second half of the year, as government measures finally take effect. He believes on the whole that the government should be able to meet its target of a CPI growth rate of around 4.8 percent.

Big price rises over the last a couple of months have pushed up the cost of living. And many people are hoping that the government will take measures that can tackle this problem.

A citizen said, "We hope the government will be able to bring the prices down. This is what I expect most from the government."

And many CPPCC members are keen to share what they think, as well as what they believe can help curb price hikes.

Economist Li Yining is predicting price-falls in the second half of the year, as government measures finally take effect. He believes on the whole that the government should be able to meet its target of a CPI growth rate of around 4.8 percent.

CPPCC memeber Li Yining said, "I think under normal conditions, we should be able to reach the 4.8 percent target. But two things could happen that could make this difficult. One is a continued rise in international oil and grain prices. The other is occurrence of any major natural disaster later this year."

Han Zhenfa owns a factory that makes agricultural products in northeastern Jilin province. And he's saying that farmers should be allowed to profit from recent price-rises.

CPPCC memeber Han Zhenfa said, "We should allow for price rises in agricultural products, since these mean direct benefits for farmers. Prices of agricultural products have been kept low for a fairly long time. I agree with what the Premier says in the government work report that rises in food prices are just making up for past losses."

The work report puts forward nine measures to curb inflation. One of them is to increase supply of agricultural products. Another CPPCC member is suggesting importing genetically-modified seeds to boost domestic grain supplies.

CPPCC memeber Cai Guoxiong said, "For the past 20 years we've been trying to produce GMO. So far I haven't seen any real success. Why don't we simply introduce them into China. It can increase productivity enormously, by 30 to 40 percent. It could certainly help solve the problem."

Other proposals include the setting up of a CPI monitoring committee. This could keep an eye on changes in prices, as well as help low-income earners better cope with the structural rises of CPI.

Many NPC deputies and CPPCC members describe measures in the government work report to curb substantial price rises as pragmatic. They are confident of the government's capability to rein in soaring prices and improve the quality of peoples' lives.

Editor:Zhang Ning