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China passes new law on property China passes new law on property
(about 4 hours later)
China's parliament has wrapped up its annual session, passing a landmark law to increase private property rights.China's parliament has wrapped up its annual session, passing a landmark law to increase private property rights.
It also approved a bill ending preferential tax treatment for foreign firms, setting a standard rate of 25%.It also approved a bill ending preferential tax treatment for foreign firms, setting a standard rate of 25%.
Premier Wen Jiabao ended the session as he had begun it last week, promising a move to more sustainable growth.Premier Wen Jiabao ended the session as he had begun it last week, promising a move to more sustainable growth.
He also raised issues such as corruption, regional ties and international fears over China's military build-up.He also raised issues such as corruption, regional ties and international fears over China's military build-up.
Contentious lawContentious law
China's leaders have been struggling for decades to enact a law to cover private assets - seen an important step away from Communist collective ownership and towards a market economy.China's leaders have been struggling for decades to enact a law to cover private assets - seen an important step away from Communist collective ownership and towards a market economy.
But some legislators feared that while the new property law would undoubtedly increase protection for home owners and prevent land seizures, it would also erode China's socialist principles.But some legislators feared that while the new property law would undoubtedly increase protection for home owners and prevent land seizures, it would also erode China's socialist principles.
Long road to property bill href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6457965.stm">Netizens unmoved by NPC class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6429977.stm">Long road to property bill
In fact, according to Daniel Griffiths, BBC correspondent in Beijing, this has been one of the most contentious pieces of legislation introduced in China in recent times.In fact, according to Daniel Griffiths, BBC correspondent in Beijing, this has been one of the most contentious pieces of legislation introduced in China in recent times.
But despite the concerns, when it came to putting the bill to the vote, 99.1% of the 2,889 legislators attending the NPC backed the property law.But despite the concerns, when it came to putting the bill to the vote, 99.1% of the 2,889 legislators attending the NPC backed the property law.
The tax legislation - designed to wean China off an export-driven economy dominated by the manufacture of cheap goods - was passed with only slightly less support.The tax legislation - designed to wean China off an export-driven economy dominated by the manufacture of cheap goods - was passed with only slightly less support.
These high percentages are not unusual. The parliament - the National People's Congress (NPC) - meets just once a year and is largely a rubber stamp to endorse the policies of the ruling Communist Party.These high percentages are not unusual. The parliament - the National People's Congress (NPC) - meets just once a year and is largely a rubber stamp to endorse the policies of the ruling Communist Party.
Corruption crackdownCorruption crackdown
Legislators also discussed a wide variety of other issues during the two-week NPC meeting - with one key theme being Mr Wen's promise to focus more on sustainable development than rapid economic growth.Legislators also discussed a wide variety of other issues during the two-week NPC meeting - with one key theme being Mr Wen's promise to focus more on sustainable development than rapid economic growth.
As he closed the session, Mr Wen fleshed out this theme, saying: "The priorities now are promoting equality in education opportunities, adopting progressive employment policies, narrowing income gaps and building social security networks."As he closed the session, Mr Wen fleshed out this theme, saying: "The priorities now are promoting equality in education opportunities, adopting progressive employment policies, narrowing income gaps and building social security networks."
Increasing equality is of vital concern to the Communist Party. Correspondents say that protests over the growing income differentials, exacerbated by rising corruption, are threatening its control over the rural hinterland.Increasing equality is of vital concern to the Communist Party. Correspondents say that protests over the growing income differentials, exacerbated by rising corruption, are threatening its control over the rural hinterland.
Mr Wen promised more reforms to crack down on corruption, especially that involving high-ranking officials.Mr Wen promised more reforms to crack down on corruption, especially that involving high-ranking officials.
He blamed the increase in graft on an "over-concentration of power without effective and proper restraint and oversight", and promised to address the issue as a priority.He blamed the increase in graft on an "over-concentration of power without effective and proper restraint and oversight", and promised to address the issue as a priority.
In terms of foreign affairs, Mr Wen said he hoped his visit to Japan in April would be an "ice-thawing" trip, following a period of tensions between the two nations over their wartime past.In terms of foreign affairs, Mr Wen said he hoped his visit to Japan in April would be an "ice-thawing" trip, following a period of tensions between the two nations over their wartime past.
He also said that China's military expansion posed no threat to other countries - despite international concern over its military growth.He also said that China's military expansion posed no threat to other countries - despite international concern over its military growth.
"The limited armed forces China has are completely for the purpose of safeguarding the country's security, independence and sovereignty," Mr Wen said."The limited armed forces China has are completely for the purpose of safeguarding the country's security, independence and sovereignty," Mr Wen said.
He added that China was still opposed to the militarization of space, despite its recent test of an anti-satellite weapon.He added that China was still opposed to the militarization of space, despite its recent test of an anti-satellite weapon.