The 2007 Session was chaired by Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo, with the annual Government Report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao.
[1] However, Vice-Premier Huang Ju, who had been widely speculated in the Hong Kong media and Western sources to have fallen into political disgrace, though reported in the Chinese press as having been in bad health, made an appearance at the opening ceremonies on March 5.
Huang genuinely appeared ill.[2] Premier Wen Jiabao delivered the working Government Report for the year 2006, and gave a policy outlook for 2007 during the opening session of the NPC on the morning of March 5, 2007.
The speech lasted nearly two hours and fifteen minutes, and focused largely on populist issues such as health care and education, with an unprecedented tone addressing corruption, waste, and environmental concerns.
On domestic policy, Wen focused on problematic issues such as real estate, which in recent years has emerged as an infamous sector for illegal dealings and lack of fairness.
He pledged that in 2007 the central government will completely abolish tuition for rural children (including fees for books and for extracurricular activities) from Kindergarten to Grade 9.
Wen also mentioned a fivefold increase in the amount of funding being put towards vocational and post-secondary scholarships, focusing on rural areas.
Wen briefly mentioned the government's continued support towards the development of traditional Chinese medicine and its important role in health care.
He pledged that local governments and institutions should continue to focus on the teaching of the socialist disgrace and honours system coined by President Hu Jintao.
To tackle urban unemployment, Wen mentioned the "lowest barrier" where the government will step in and cover basic living costs of victims of job loss.
Wen vowed continued vigilance in the matter of safety standards, especially in coal mines, and pledged a tough stance towards commercial scams and fake medicines.
Wen noted the danger of monopolies, and put forth a proposal for a new set of corporate taxation laws aimed at curbing widespread tax evasion and commercial irregularities.
Concerning international trade, Premier Wen focused on attracting foreign investment, specifically to western and northeastern areas who have "just as much developmental potential" as the affluent coast.
The conclusion of the speech made mention of President Hu Jintao's new Scientific Development Perspectives and the goal of a Socialist Harmonious Society.
[13] Delegate Jian Deming put forth a proposal for a "dog tax", a deterrent for pet owners, in an apparent attempt to curb the ongoing spread of rabies.
Wen reiterated the official stance that China is opposed to the weaponization of space, and that the Chinese military build-up is purely for domestic rather than for offensive purposes.
On the subject of Taiwan independence, the tone maintained the harsh rhetoric against the current administration on the island led by Chen Shui-bian while attempting not to alienate the Taiwanese electorate in general.
In an unprecedented move, Wen began the press conference with a direct appeal to the people by reading a letter from a primary school student, subsequently voicing his concern about China's current social imbalance.