Tax and fees cuts, stabilisation of employment and more social services – these were some of the quick fixes pledged by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his annual work report, to address uncertainties in economic outlook and international relations. And in a rare move, not one delegate opposed the report when the National People’s Congress voted on it on Friday, Trend reports referring to South China Morning Post.
In the ballot on Li’s report, 2,945 delegates voted in favour and three abstained.
Although the NPC, China’s highest legislative body, is often described by observers as a rubber-stamp chamber and has never vetoed a work report, the number of opposing votes is often seen as an indicator of the level of endorsement and popularity for a government leader or a top government agency.
Even the number of abstentions is seen as a subtle indicator of disapproval by carefully selected delegates to the elite assembly.
For example, 378 delegates voted against Li’s first report as premier in 2014. Three years later, when he finished his first term as premier, 180 voted against his report. A small number of opposition votes was considered acceptable to the Communist Party.
The atmosphere at last year’s NPC was especially tense, as delegates cast their votes on whether to amend the constitution to remove the two-term limit for the president – allowing Xi Jinping to remain in the role, although as the party’s secretary general he would have been able to stay in power with or without the title.
On that occasion, careful consensus-building was carried out among delegates before they cast their votes on removing the term limit at the close of last year’s legislative meetings, or “two sessions”. Only two voted against, while three abstained – among the lowest such numbers in Communist Party history.
Unlike predecessors such as Zhu Rongji or even Wen Jiabao, Li is more an executor of Xi’s policies, and all of the limelight is usually given to Xi’s speeches and activities. Li himself as a leader does not have obvious support from the NPC delegates. His report represents overall government policies laid down by Xi.
When asked why there was not a single opposing vote on Li’s report, Hu Keming, deputy director of the NPC’s constitution and legal committee, smiled and said: “The reasons? You know well.”
He placed special emphasis on measures to help the economy through difficult times ahead. Unveiling his report at the opening of the two sessions on March 5, Li had said the government was preparing for tough battles, foreseeing “graver and more complex” risks and challenges, both “predictable and unpredictable”.
Li’s most eye-catching pledge was to cut the value-added tax (VAT) rate for manufacturers by 3 percentage points to 13 per cent, a significant reduction.
Also presented to the NPC on Friday were the work reports from the supreme court and the top prosecutor. In the ballots on those, 156 and 71 delegates respectively voted against, while 67 and 71 abstained.
Five to 10 years ago it was common for up to 600 of the nearly 3,000 NPC delegates to vote against the two reports to show their disapproval of China’s rampant corruption. Since then, the number of opposing votes has dropped, falling below 200 last year.
But there remained some unhappiness among delegates about the performance of the Supreme People’s Court.
Li Jie, an NPC delegate and chairman of Yichang Renfu Pharmaceutical Industry in Hubei, said some delegates were disappointed that the high-profile scandal in which the supreme court reportedly
“Even though the supreme court has done a lot of work, it has not mentioned issues people are concerned about in the report,” he said. “For example, some court documents were lost – it disappoints people because it should be the symbol of justice and fairness.”
Latest
-
Investments in Azerbaijan's non-oil sector skyrocket in 1Q2023
-
EBRD names leaders in renewables deployment in Central Asia
-
Azerbaijan taking necessary measures to improve border infrastructure - State Border Service
-
Masdar expects to produce over 1mln tons of hydrogen by 2030 - CEO
-
ICRC representatives visit Armenian citizens detained in Azerbaijan
-
Value of Iran’s imports from Azerbaijan reaches $10M
-
Azerbaijan considers new forms and methods of co-op with border structures of its neighbors - Assistant of President of Azerbaijan
-
Council of Commanders of Border Troops significantly contributes to CIS development - Azerbaijani President's assistant
-
New approaches and solutions needed ensure border security - Assistant of President of Azerbaijan
-
Uzbekistan, Italy foster agricultural collaboration through key agreements
-
Azerbaijan working towards seafood exports to EU countries
-
Kazakhstan records decrease in monthly retail price index
-
Azerbaijan alarmed amid new potential environmental disaster, thanks to Armenia
-
Iran exports over 125,000 tons of non-oil products to Azerbaijan
-
TAP soon to start construction works for ramping up supplies (Exclusive)
-
OPEC+ decision to positively affect oil companies' dev’t plans
-
Iran-Azerbaijan trade grows in volume, shrinks in value
-
US Secretary, Turkish FM discuss relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia
-
Azerbaijan's Nakhchivanbank OJSC reveals its new shareholders
-
Kazakhstan in talks on joint investments in gas industry with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR - QazaqQaz CEO (Exclusive)
-
Turnover of securities at Baku Stock Exchange decreases
-
Kazakhstan talks its potential to export goods to US
-
Iranian currency rate for June 8
-
Kazakhstan has potential to become green energy producing country - BioEnergy CEO
-
Iran puts up over $230M worth of foreign currencies for sale under NIMA rate
-
Azerbaijani oil prices increase
-
"Children's Paralympic Cup" tournament held with the support of Azercell (PHOTO)
-
ADB, Uzbekistan's Tashkent sign agreement on clean energy
-
Veyseloglu Group of Companies Honoured in Deloitte’s Prestigious Business Contest (PHOTO)
-
Kazakhstan keeps serving as economic engine of Central Asia, Tokayev says
-
Armenia subjects Azerbaijani Army positions to fire
-
Middle Corridor halves timing for transportation of goods - President Tokayev
-
Türkiye boosts exports of auto industry products to Kazakhstan in 5M2023
-
Kazakhstan proposes to hold Regional Climate Change summit
-
Azerbaijan names biggest investment companies by turnover at Baku Stock Exchange for May 2023
-
Turkmenistan, Georgia discuss further steps aimed at increasing trade turnover
-
Astana International Forum kicks off (PHOTO)
-
Purpose of Iran's draining Lake Urmia to oust Azerbaijanis - Mamedrza Heyat (PHOTO)
-
Moldova hopes to import gas from Azerbaijan - state secretary (Exclusive)
-
Kazakhstan keen to further boost investment partnership, diversify mutual trade with EU
-
Turkmenistan creates commission to prepare memorandum for WTO accession
-
EDB revises forecast for GDP growth in Tajikistan
-
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to break transportation deadlock in Central Asia
-
Iran completely loses its influence abroad and within country - head of Tabriz Institute
-
Strongly condemn actions of Armenia affecting ecological security of region - Ministry of Ecology of Azerbaijan
-
Türkiye’s oil imports from Azerbaijan soar
-
Ujar Irrigation Systems Authority to purchase auto parts
-
Social Support Center under Azerbaijan’s Labort Ministry to attract audit services
-
Israel imports over 800,000 tons of crude oil from Azerbaijan
-
Azerbaijan, Italy discuss military co-op (PHOTO)
-
Taking concrete steps important for Sweden's membership in NATO - Turkish FM
-
UK, Uzbekistan discuss trade, investment co-op progress
-
Direct dialogue between Azerbaijan, Armenia - key to durable peace - US State Dept
-
Azerbaijani Army positions subjected fo fire
-
Azerbaijan shares data on number of vaccinated citizens
-
Azerbaijan confirms 4 more COVID-19 cases, 9 recovery
-
Volume of collections for compulsory insurance against loss of professional capacity in Azerbaijan show uptick
-
Türkiye elects new speaker of Grand National Assembly
-
Businessmen from UAE buy gasoline on Turkmen Commodity Exchange
-
Tajikistan discusses development of customs sector with foreign partners
-
Azerbaijani FM discusses regional security with Slovak Prime Minister
-
Central Bank of Turkmenistan unveils ranking of banks with largest number of POS terminals
-
Azerbaijan is determined to reintegrate ethnic Armenians living in country’s Karabakh region as equal citizens - FM
-
President of Slovenia sends letter to President Ilham Aliyev on occasion of May 28 - Independence Day
-
Tajikistan aims to simplify trade procedures
-
Turkmenistan notes increase in number of POS terminals
-
Azerbaijani-Uzbek joint venture Azting granted status of resident of Yevlakh pilot agro-park - minister
-
Azerbaijan and Armenia for first time on verge of peace - FM
-
Price of Iran’s Bahar Azadi gold coin falls below $7,000
-
OSCE must be flexible and adaptive in order to maintain its relevance in rapidly changing environment - FM
-
Gunay Insurance appoints new chairman
-
US companies show interest in Uzbekistan's IT market
-
Azerbaijani FM informed his Slovak colleague about Armenia’s delay in peace process
-
Qatar considered one of priority countries for Kyrgyzstan to increase co-op
-
Bringing Azerbaijan and Armenia closer together remains priority for Russia - MFA
-
Iran carries out passenger car transit to Kazakhstan via Anzali port
-
Italian Trade Agency to organize business delegation from Italy to Azerbaijan
-
Azerbaijan & Heydar Aliyev on June 6: opening of International "Caspian oil and gas - 2000" exhibition and conference (PHOTO)
-
Azerbaijan more than doubles oil exports to Spain
-
Ex-Serbian president notes Azerbaijan's growing role in energy sector
-
Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan meets with delegation of ICMP
-
Kazakhstan's transportation sector demonstrates slight growth
-
Azerbaijan - reliable energy partner for Europe, former President of Bulgaria says
-
Zangazur corridor should be opened - Volkan Bozkir
-
TAP getting ready for new market test to expand capacity (Exclusive)
-
Azerbaijan exports almost 1M tons of oil to India
-
Over 100 new agricultural processing enterprises launched in Fars Province last year
-
Azerbaijan, Slovakia sign agreement on avoidance of double taxation (PHOTO)
-
Azerbaijan exports more over 30% of its oil to Italy since beginning of 2023
-
Amendments made to regulations on non-staff Consul of Azerbaijan
-
Kazakhstan's Astana International Exchange enters Tabadul Digital Exchange Hub
-
US Embassy’s visa fee increases in Azerbaijan
-
Iran aims to turn Persian Gulf into gas hub - minister
-
Azerbaijan's economy minister shares production data for country's regions
-
Armenia should accept that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan - former President of Montenegro
-
EU countries reduce 19% of gas consumption, says French minister
-
Azerbaijan expands responsibilities of Food Safety Agency following presidential decree
-
Armenian serviceman on his way from Armenia to Khankendi not allowed to pass through Lachin border checkpoint
-
Iran pays over $6B to local farmers under wheat purchase guarantee program
-
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan got vast potential for facilitating mutual investment activity - minister
-
Iran’s local bus production skyrockets
-
Azerbaijani FM meets with Chairman of National Assembly of Slovakia (PHOTO)
-
Kyrgyzstan, Qatar sign number of bilateral documents
-
Iran's Marun Oil & Gas Production Company boosts flare collection capacity
-
IEA urges for doubling energy efficiency progress, says Fatih Birol
-
Azerbaijan to allocate over $125M on formation of authorized capital in joint investment funds
-
IGB's operator selects insurer for pipeline's operational phase
-
Iran attaches importance to crude oil refining abroad, minister says
-
List of people to be resettled in Azerbaijan’s Shusha district being clarified (Exclusive)
-
Middle Corridor - main alternative route for Kazakhstan, minister says
-
Azerbaijani PM, ICAO President discuss development of civil aviation
-
Kazakhstan allocates $51.3M for development of SMEs in Kyzylorda region
-
Azerbaijan plans to resettle more than 34,000 families to liberated territories - official
-
Azerbaijan, Georgia sign memorandum in field of registration and inventory of rights to immovable property
-
OPEC+ decision may trigger demand destruction
-
Kazakhstan conducts projects aimed at economic diversification in Kyzylorda region
-
IAEA report complicates discussions on Iran’s nuclear program
-
Bank Keshavarzi lends over $1B in agricultural sector of Iran’s Kurdistan Province
-
All measures will be taken in connection with discovered mass graves - Military Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan
-
Azerbaijani insurance sector's net profit grows by over 40%
-
Azerbaijani VMF company plans to issue bonds
-
Defense ministers of Azerbaijan and Hungary discuss military and political situation in region (PHOTO/VIDEO)
-
Meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia was of great importance within framework of summit in Chișinău - Moldovan former PM
-
Movement of Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh in both directions ensured - defense minister
-
Iran wastes opportunity in nuclear talks for nothing
-
Turkmenistan, Pakistan to discuss progress of promoting TAPI gas pipeline project
-
EU expects further progress in Azerbaijani-Armenian talks in next Brussels meeting
-
Turkmen Khazar consortium looking for company to repair fire extinguishers
-
PwC Azerbaijan and the State Tax Service Collaborate to Drive Tax Education through All-Republic Olympiad (PHOTO)
-
Private and country houses in Baku grow up in price
-
Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Economy clarifies inflation forecast in Azerbaijan
-
Prices on commercial properties in Baku increase
-
WizzAir increases number of flights between Uzbekistan's Samarkand, UAE's Abu Dhabi
-
Azerbaijan's credit insurance fees increase over 5 times in 4M2023
-
Life insurance, treatment and vehicle insurance rising in Iran
-
Uzbekistan's textile exports surpass $100M
-
Astana International Finance Center reveals volume of investments attracted
-
European Azerbaijan School hosts “Back to School” event (PHOTO)
-
Around 60% percent of foreign investment in Central Asia falls on Kazakhstan - deputy FM
-
Azerbaijan schedules additional trips on Baku-Gabala-Baku railway route
-
Prices on Baku's primary housing market increase
-
Iran's private sector buys 15 new ships
-
Azerbaijan holds opening ceremony of Baku-Shusha international cycling tour
-
Prices on Baku's real estate market continue to grow year-on-year
-
Guaranteed wheat purchasing from local farmers in Iran’s Khuzestan goes over expected 1.7M tons
-
Turkish company buys Turkmen gasoline produced from natural gas
-
Azerbaijan, WB discuss partnership framework document until 2028 (PHOTO)
-
Mines - common problem of Azerbaijan, Croatia, says ex-president Grabar-Kitarovic
-
Kazakhstan rapidly becoming prominent transcontinental transport hub - deputy FM
-
Armenia should come back to reality - member of Turkish Parliament
-
Peace must be ensured between Azerbaijan, Armenia - President of NCAFP
-
Azerbaijan plays key role in diversification of energy sources, transport routes - EU
-
Iran launches repairs to increase volume of crude oil supplied into storages
-
Turkmenistan, South Korea discuss cooperation within UN
-
Asian Development Bank approves loan for Azerbaijan's Bank Respublika
-
Azerbaijan launching international cycling tour from Baku to Shusha
-
Iran puts over 90K tons of hydrocarbons on sale at IRENEX on June 7
-
Encouraging to see development and reconstruction in Azerbaijan’s Shusha - Nizami Ganjavi Int'l Center co-chairman
-
Kazakh Samruk-Kazyna, Chinese CNPC to develop Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry
-
Some 30 ex-heads of states, governments gather in Azerbaijan (PHOTO)