2018年CRI NPC spokesman defends Belt and Road Initiative

 

The 2018 session of China's top legislature is set to open later this morning.

At a press conference on Sunday, the spokesman for the first session of the 13th National People's Congress talked about the important tasks facing legislators over the coming days, including making amendments² to China's Constitution.

With more on this story, here's CRI's Wen Jie.

China's current Constitution was first adopted in 1982. The changes proposed this year are the fifth time that the Constitution has been amended³, with the last changes made by the 10th NPC back in March 2004.

NPC spokesperson Zhang Yesui said that it is important to revise the Constitution so that it continues to meet the needs of the country.

"It is necessary to appropriately amend¹ the Constitution to incorporate major theoretical, practical and institutional achievements made by the Party and the people, thus giving better play to the Constitution's critical role in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era," said Zhang.

In other comments, Zhang rebutted⁴ recent claims that the Belt and Road Initiative is just a geo-strategic tool.

He said that since it was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative has helped improve infrastructure⁵ connectivity and international collaboration⁶.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is guided by the principle of pursuing shared benefits through consultation⁷ and collaboration. All participants are equal partners in this process. It is an open and inclusive platform. It doesn't exclude or target any country, it is open to all those who are interested," said Zhang.

Zhang said that China has made a significant contribution to global economic growth, and that the country's ongoing⁸ development will benefit global prosperity and stability.

He also dismissed suggestions that China is seeking to overturn or replace the current international order, saying that China will continue to adhere to its path of peaceful development.

"China will follow its own path, and will not ask other countries to copy the Chinese practice either. Of course, if some countries are interested in learning China's development experience and practice, we're ready to talk with them and share our experience. But we will not impose anything on others," said Zhang.

In response to recent statements from the Trump⁹ administration regarding a so-called "trade war", Zhang said that cooperation is the only correct path for both sides, but that China will take necessary measures if U.S. moves hurt its national interests.

This year's NPC session has even greater significance and will last longer than usual because of increased items on the agenda.

Besides the revision of proposals to the country's Constitution, the election of new state leaders as well as deliberations on structural¹⁰ reforms for both Party and state institutions will also dominate the agenda.

1 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。

2 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

3 Amended   

adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
• He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。

4 rebutted   

v.反驳，驳回( rebut的过去式和过去分词 )；击退

参考例句：

• Has Mr. Chiang or any member of his party ever rebutted this? 蒋先生及其党人曾经对这话提出过任何驳斥吗？ 来自互联网
• He rebutted the argument of the other team in a debate. 他在辩论会中反驳对方的论点。 来自互联网

5 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

6 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

7 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

8 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

9 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

10 structural   

adj.构造的，组织的，建筑（用）的

参考例句：

• The storm caused no structural damage.风暴没有造成建筑结构方面的破坏。
• The North American continent is made up of three great structural entities.北美大陆是由三个构造单元组成的。