Chinese parliament delegates call for ‘warm bums’, less Western influence, more local cuisine
Presenting ideas gives delegates rare chance to be heard by nation’s leaders
Doubling China’s Lunar New Year break, labelling Chinese cuisine an “intangible cultural heritage” and restricting foreign influence in schools are among the patriotic recommendations made by delegates at this year’s meeting of the Chinese parliament.
Many of the 3,000 delegates from across China currently in Beijing for the 10-day meeting of the National People’s Congress, closing on Wednesday, came armed with proposals for the top leadership.
The hundreds of recommendations have only a tiny chance of being adopted, as most of the real decision making takes place throughout the year during regular meetings of the Standing Committee, the apex of power in China. The NPC is seen largely as a rubber stamp group.
But presenting ideas at the high-profile event gives delegates a rare chance to bend the ears of the top brass or simply raise the profile of their pet issue.
Many of the proposals are imbued with patriotism, make recommendations for how to raise China’s international standing or focus on resolving the nation’s social issues.
Sixteen delegates from central Hunan province called for the government to push for Chinese food’s international recognition as an “intangible cultural heritage” so as to bolster the country’s soft power.
