2008 National People's Congress


The 1st Session of the 11th National People's Congress held its annual meeting from March 5 to March 18, 2008 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, in conjunction with the 2008 CPPCC.
The 10-day plenum elected China's new government leaders. Up for confirmation for a second term were President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. The State Council went through important personnel and structural changes following the 17th Party Congress. Zeng Qinghong's Vice-Presidency came to an end and the position was taken by Xi Jinping. Three new Vice-Premiers were confirmed and took office, with rising star Li Keqiang ranking first in this group.

Government Report

Premier Wen Jiabao delivered the government report on March 5, 2008, reviewing the work from the past five years. The main points that come out of the report were
A massive reform took place in China's cabinet, the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Several ministries were consolidated to form super ministries. The several "superministries"
New MinistryLegacy deptsAreas of ResponsibilityNew sub agencies reporting
Ministry of Industry and InformationNational Development and Research Commission
the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense
Ministry of Information Industry
State Council Information Office
State Tobacco Monopoly Bureau		Internet
Mobile Telecom
Landline Telecom
Postal Services
Internet Security
State Postal Bureau
Ministry of Human Resources and Social SecurityMinistry of Personnel
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Employment
Social Services		State Bureau of Civil Servants
Ministry of Environmental ProtectionState Environmental Protection AdministrationEnvironmental Protection
Enforcement		n/a
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural ConstructionMinistry of ConstructionHousing
Rural
Urban		n/a
Ministry of TransportMinistry of Communications
Civil Aviation Administration of China		Road Transport
Air Transport
Water safety and Shipping		State Civil Aviation Bureau

The state council will also create the National Energy Commission which will oversee national energy strategy, security and development. While the National Development and Reform Commission will continue to control the administration and regulation of the energy sector.
The State Food and Drug Administration will be incorporated and come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the Health ministry will take over the responsibility for food and drug safety.
The People's Bank of China will increase its coordination role between all the financial executive agencies, namely the National Development and Reform Commission and the Finance ministry.

Election results

Premier Wen Jiabao held a press conference on March 18, 2008. He introduced the new Vice-Premiers, Li Keqiang, Hui Liangyu, Zhang Dejiang and Wang Qishan. Wen addressed the direction of the government in the next five years. He also addressed the ongoing Tibetan protests. Wen asserted that the Dalai Lama was "masterminding" the protests in Tibet. Wen said that 2008 could be a very difficult year for the Chinese economy because of both international and domestic reasons.