Zhang Yang

    nicolezyyy@163.com

    A TOTAL of 470 political advisers from all walks of life in Shenzhen are gathering at the annual session of the city’s political advisory body today to propose plans for the city’s development in the coming year.

    The third session of the 6th Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will be held from today until Saturday.

    Over 280 proposals had been submitted by political advisers on the session’s online system as of yesterday.

    Many political advisers are concerned about social issues related to public well-being, such as community services, environmental protection, children’s welfare and food safety.

    Fang Tao, secretary general of Shenzhen Charity Federation, said community services should be diversified to meet the practical needs of residents.

    “We used to limit our community services to offering help to poor and disadvantaged groups, but other types of services, such as self-improvement programs for children, will surely create more public participation,” she said.

    Fang said that there are 7,800 registered social workers in Shenzhen, but it’s challenging for them to carry out social service projects without enough public participation. “The reform of social services requires effort from the government, enterprises, social organizations and the public,” she said.

    Chen Li, deputy director of the General Office of the Shenzhen Project Care Organizing Committee, said many primary schools and community service centers in Shenzhen are providing free “4:30 p.m. classes” for students, so that they can attend after-school activities while waiting for their parents to pick them up.

    “I hope there will be more off-campus ‘4:30 p.m. classes’ in libraries or cultural centers, providing students with all-round educational activities under a well-functioning management system,” Chen said.

    Another political adviser, Wu Lanping, said that Shenzhen should pay more attention to protecting coastline resources in its western regions and make sure the environment is well protected when coastal areas are developed.

    “The government should think ahead about how to ensure the environment’s sustainable development before making urban plans for the western regions,” Wu said.

    Meanwhile, the third session of the 6th Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress will be held from Friday to Jan. 17, allowing lawmakers to voice opinions regarding different issues about the city’s development in the following year.