Since the opening of the annual sessions of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), foreign media have paid great attention to the development of sessions and opinions voiced at panel discussions. Following are selections of their news coverage or comments.?

 

Washington Post: China looks to protect private property

 

China's legislature began examining a much-debated measure Thursday that is intended to help protect private property in an increasingly well-off society.

 

Although the Communist Party still believes the state owns all land, the growing economy has meant that private property "has been increasing with each passing day," the draft legislation states, adding that the protection of that property is the "urgent demand of the people."

 

As with many laws in China, the property measure -- expected to pass by the end of the session March 16 -- could prove difficult to enforce.

 

AP: China to focus on helping poor

 

Chinese leaders are trying to improve energy efficiency to reduce both environmental damage and China's reliance on imported oil, which they see as a strategic weakness.

 

China is one of the world's biggest consumers of oil and coal, and uses several times as much energy per unit of economic output as the United States, Japan and other countries.

 

CNN: China seeks to cure social unrest

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday pledged greater support for education and health care over the next year and said the government would tackle sources of social unrest such as environmental problems, land seizures and privatization of state industries.

 

Wen and other Chinese leaders have promised repeatedly to close a growing gap between China's rich and poor, which they worry threatens political stability and the ruling party's hold on power.

 

China's good corporate citizens find their voice

 

For years, China has been subjected to sharp foreign criticism about conditions in its factories amid claims that its cheap exports come at the expense of the environment and workers' safety and pay.

 

In recent months the debate has taken a twist, with an increasing number of similar charges leveled from inside China, by officials and quasi-government industry bodies concerned about an export backlash.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2007)