The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political consultative body, opens its annual plenary session today. Deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's parliament, are to convene for its annual session two days later.

As an annual routine, the two meetings will feature extensive discourse about the government's plan for the year.

Since we are at the start of a new Five-Year Program, the 11th, participants of the two conventions are expected to ponder and debate some key long-term issues such as the building of a "new countryside" and an innovation-oriented society. Some practical issues affecting people's everyday life, like medical care, education and work safety, which have made so many headlines during the past year, may also command considerable attention.

Considering their impact on the country's overall policy orientation, many people, inside and outside China, are watching with keen interest for clues of the country's immediate next steps.

The 11th Five-Year Program (2006-10) is still often called a plan in everyday reference. But officials have stressed its difference from the plans of the past.

The program should be macro, outlining strategies and answering such questions as what kind of development should be pursued and what are the means and approach to achieve the desired development, the officials say.

The most noteworthy contents in the program should be the development of rural areas and the enhancement of innovative components of the economy.

Rural development has recently been elevated to a top priority for China's next stage of development.

Indeed, it is so important because it is related to the lives of 750 million Chinese farmers and will largely decide whether China can meet its goal of building a moderately well-off society by 2050.

The farmers' improved lives, in turn, would generate an enormous market and greatly boost domestic demand.

Innovation is crucial for sharpening the competitive edge of a nation that is increasingly integrated into the global economy.

The nation cannot rely on low-end manufacturing to propel its economy forever.

Issues that affect people's lives may very well feature prominently in the annual report of the government, which has been promoting the "people-centered" principle in recent years.

These issues, including hefty medical, education and housing costs, will also be hot topics for participants.

They hold the key to the sustainability of economic growth during the next stage. Before such major problems are well addressed, the majority of people will continue to be tight-fisted and the government's efforts to boost domestic demand will not be effective..

Solving these problems may need new reforms or adjustments to old practices.

Action must be taken, no matter what it takes. Reforms in such sectors such as banking and taxation are still not accomplished.

Last year witnessed hot debates on the successes and failures China had experienced on the path of reform during the past quarter of the century.

We hope these debates will continue at the NPC and CPPCC meetings and help our lawmakers and political advisors make informed decisions about the nation's present and future.

(China Daily March 3, 2006)