Voices and Votes 2010-03-03: Top advisory body convenes in Beijing, Low-carbon economy, Web Political Participation

The top advisory body plays a vital role in forming mechanisms of consultation for policy-making procedures.  CPPCC members are witnesses to the nation's democratic reform.  They use their collective wisdom to help the country deal with its challenges.  Over the the next ten days, we'll find out what their ideas mean to the nation and its people.

- CCTV observation: Main functions needs efforts to achieve realization
- Tian Wei interviews CPPCC member Sidney Shapire

[Guest speakers]

David Mahon, Chief representative of Mahon China Investiment Mnagement
Dr. Rosanna Wong, CPPCC member for HKSAR
Dr. Victor Gao Zhikai, Current Affairs Commentator

A low-carbon economy is quietly changing our minds and the way of life here in China. Whatever the political fallout in Copenhagen, Beijing stands ready and united in pursuing sustainable growth. The extensive use of fossil fuels may not be politically correct for industrialized nations. But emerging markets and low-income countries do not have that luxury. Emerging markets are facing the dual pressure of rapid expansion and climate change, a challenge that the West has never experienced. It is their luck and our adversity. Developing nations have to swallow the bitter pill of energy conservation in an increasingly silent spring. Whatever the number, G2 or G20, we are all in the same boat.

[Guest speakers]

Kaiser Kuo, Current affairs commentator
Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer, Current affairs commentator
Dr. Victor Gao Zhikai, Current affairs commentator

In what Pulitzer winner Thomas Friedman calls an increasingly flat world, the rise of the middle class and the Internet look set to change the social governance and the way of political participation here in China. The Beijing agenda or Beijing Consensus highlights the uniqueness of China's remarkable social progress. Challenges such as social security and medicare, the environment, soaring housing prices and widespread corruption in particular, all need supervision and criticism. A strong and inclusive government should have the political bravery to accept democratic oversight gracefully. This is one measure of a truly civil society.  This is also the focus of a severe international scrutiny.

[Guest speakers]

Kaiser Kuo, Current affairs commentator
Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer, Current affairs commentator
Dr. Victor Gao Zhikai, Current affairs commentator