Beijing - China's Two Sessions is in full swing, with deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) putting forward suggestions for the country's governance. Some are from grassroots backgrounds, allowing for incorporating local insights and experiences into national discussions.

In the interviews with Bridging News on March 8 in Beijing, Mao Xianglin and Yin Qilong, both NPC deputies from Chongqing, a farmer, and a taxi driver, shared their suggestions submitted during the Two Sessions.

Farmer-turned-deputy champions rural welfare in the legislative process

At the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, 65-year-old Mao is using his platform to champion the needs of rural residents. 

Mao, who has become a celebrated figure in China's campaign against poverty—endorsed personally by President Xi Jinping in 2021—has spent the last four decades transforming his once-isolated village into a model of prosperity and connectivity.

During the interview, Mao detailed his legislative proposals to alleviate the financial burden on rural communities. Foremost among his suggestions is a call for reducing medical insurance premiums for rural residents and continued central government financial support for environmental protection in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

Mao's concern stems from feedback received during his outreach to villages. The escalating costs of medical insurance premiums—rising from 10 yuan per person per year in 2007 to 380 yuan in 2024—have not been matched by improvements in reimbursement levels. 

This discrepancy has led to a growing reluctance among villagers to purchase insurance. In response, Mao has proposed not only a reduction in premiums but also free medical insurance for rural residents over 75 who have paid premiums for 30 years, an initiative that has garnered positive feedback from officials in Beijing.

Additionally, Mao and fellow deputies from Chongqing are suggesting extended financial support for the Major Water Conservancy Project Construction Fund in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. This fund, set to expire at the end of 2025, has been instrumental in safeguarding the region. It is crucial for managing environmental challenges and hazardous conditions along the cliffs.

As the National People's Congress progressed, Mao's efforts reflected the broader engagement of grassroots deputies in legislative processes, with all 271 proposals submitted by Chinese lawmakers during the annual session of the NPC in March 2023 being deliberated by nine special committees of the NPC, a total of 8,314 suggestions made by national lawmakers during the same period and 130 suggestions made during the adjournment were referred to and handled, with deputies receiving feedback, 75% of these suggestions made either resolved or slated for gradual resolution. 

Mao's initiatives, among the 184 submitted by Chongqing's representatives, underscore the ongoing commitment of China's legislators to address the diverse and pressing issues facing the country, like economic development, people's livelihood, rural revitalization, education, science, culture and health, the rule of law, ecological and environmental protection, etc.

A taxi driver's vision for fair ride-hailing

Yin Qilong, another NPC deputy from grassroots, is a driver for the second branch of Chongqing Taxi Co., Ltd. His long working experience has given him a front-row seat to the evolving urban transportation landscape, particularly the interplay between traditional taxi services and burgeoning online ride-hailing platforms.

"Initially, my world revolved solely around the concerns and interests of being a taxi driver," Yin shared. "However, stepping into the role of an NPC deputy broadened my perspective, compelling me to advocate for the broader community of drivers and strive for national cohesion within the taxi industry."

Yin's investigations revealed a competitive tilt in the market, with online ride-hailing services offering dynamic, real-time pricing that often undercuts traditional taxi fares by more than 20%, sometimes even offering rides at half the cost through fixed-price discounts. 

Though beneficial for consumers in the short term, this trend poses long-term threats to the industry, including market imbalances, financial struggles for taxi companies, reduced earnings for drivers, deteriorated service quality for consumers, and potential job losses.

To counter these challenges, Yin suggests a shift from price wars to a focus on service quality, proposing that healthy competition based on service excellence could ensure the sustainable growth of taxi services and online ride-hailing platforms, thereby maintaining a balanced travel market ecosystem.