NPC deputies spell out their areas of focus

Deputies to the National People's Congress in Shanghai arrived in Beijing on Sunday to attend the upcoming second session of the 14th National People's Congress, which is due to open on Tuesday.

The national legislators said that 2024 is a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). They are carefully preparing proposals and suggestions, with a focus on several areas, including high-quality development, scientific and technological innovation, business environment optimization, the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, and elderly care service.

National lawmaker Mei Bing, who is also Party secretary of East China Normal University, said she will make a suggestion during this year's session to call for a stronger cultivation and promotion of the spirit of educators among teachers and a further improvement of the country's system to honor outstanding teachers.

"High-quality development of the country's education is inseparable from a team of high-quality, professional, and vibrant teachers with noble morals, superb professional skills, and a reasonable structure. A better atmosphere shall be formed in the society to help more good teachers to stand out in their job positions," she said.

Sheng Hong, another national lawmaker and Party secretary of a residential community in Hongqiao subdistrict of Changning district, plans to submit two suggestions related to silver-haired economy during the session.

The energetic elderly population aged below 75 will be a main part of the country's elderly population in the next decade, and they will also be the main consumer group of silver-haired economy, Sheng said.

"My suggestions will include vigorously supporting a number of elderly service projects in new forms that are in demand and have a good reputation," she said.