Unveiling the Pulse of the Nation: Insights from the Online Survey on China’s ‘Two Sessions’

Recently, the People’s Daily online conducted a survey to identify the 10 most popular topics among Chinese internet users in anticipation of the annual “two sessions.” This event marks the coming together of China’s top political advisory body and the top legislature. The survey revealed that the Chinese public has an intense interest in a range of issues. These topics include education and talent, social security, anti-corruption efforts, rural revitalization, employment prioritization, medical and healthcare, law-based governance, social governance, domestic demand expansion, and people’s democracy.

One of the major concerns for Chinese internet users is education and talent development. This topic is particularly relevant in the context of the country’s rapid economic growth and the need to develop a skilled workforce. Furthermore, Chinese citizens are interested in social security measures that can provide them with adequate protection and stability. This includes retirement and health benefits, unemployment insurance, and social welfare programs.

Corruption has been a long-standing issue in China, and the public remains invested in efforts to combat it. Internet users are also interested in rural revitalization, which aims to improve living standards in rural areas and promote balanced economic growth. The need to prioritize employment is another topic that resonates with the Chinese public, particularly in light of the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese internet users have a strong interest in medical and healthcare issues, particularly with regard to accessibility and affordability. The public also wants to see a governance system that is based on the rule of law and promotes social justice. Finally, the survey found that Chinese citizens are invested in the expansion of domestic demand and the promotion of people’s democracy. These issues reflect the public’s desire for greater economic prosperity and political transparency in their country.

The 22nd survey of the People’s Daily Online, was conducted from February 1 to February 27, 2023, with a participation rate of over 5.81 million people. The results of the survey reveal that “Education and talents” emerged as the hottest topic of public interest. The overwhelming response to this topic indicates a growing concern for the future of education in China.

The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) recognized the need to promote the digitalization of education for the first time. This acknowledgment has resonated with Chinese internet users who have expressed their interest in upgrading the national intelligent education public service platform, improving the digital literacy of teachers and their ability to apply digital technologies, and building a national big data center for education.

The focus on education and the recognition of the importance of digitalization come at a critical juncture in China’s development. The country’s sustained economic growth and global leadership aspirations require a highly skilled and educated workforce. The Chinese government has prioritized education in its national development plans, and the public’s interest in this topic is a reflection of this emphasis.

The survey’s results also indicate the public’s recognition of the challenges that need to be addressed to improve the education system. The respondents’ focus on upgrading the national intelligent education public service platform, improving the digital literacy of teachers, and building a national big data center for education highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to education reform.

The survey conducted by People’s Daily Online also revealed important insights into the public’s opinion on deepening reform on the mechanisms for talent development. The majority of respondents, 59.1 percent, hoped for more efforts to cultivate top-notch sci-tech talent and innovation teams. This finding highlights the public’s desire to prioritize investments in high-tech fields and promote innovation in China.

Additionally, 50.2 percent of respondents hoped for a refined talent evaluation mechanism, indicating a need for a fair and transparent process for assessing talent. This finding suggests that the public recognizes the importance of merit-based selection and advancement in promoting a competitive and dynamic economy.

Furthermore, the survey found that 49.3 percent of respondents think it is necessary to build an environment where talents are identified, cherished, respected, and used. This result emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive culture that values and nurtures talent in various fields, including science, technology, arts, and sports.

The survey also showed that “Social security” was one of the top 10 “two sessions” buzzwords for the 19th time in all surveys conducted by People’s Daily Online. Chinese internet users paid attention to the implementation of private pension plans, the payment standard for old-age pensions for urban and rural residents, dynamic adjustments of basic pension funds, and other related topics. These findings indicate that the public is concerned about social welfare and security issues, especially for the aging population.

The findings showed that 53.9 percent of respondents believed that efforts should be made to establish a housing system that ensures multiple sources of supply, provides support through various channels, and encourages both housing purchase and renting. This result highlights the public’s desire for a comprehensive housing policy that can address the housing needs of all citizens.

Moreover, 51.8 percent of respondents hoped for a multi-tiered and multi-pillar old-age insurance system, indicating a need for a comprehensive social security system that provides sufficient protection for the aging population. This result emphasizes the importance of developing social welfare and security policies that can meet the needs of the diverse population.

The survey also revealed that Chinese netizens pay special attention to “combating corruption.” This result underscores the public’s awareness of the adverse effects of corruption on the country’s development and highlights the importance of combating corruption to ensure a fair and just society.

In terms of employment, a joint survey by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and People’s Daily Online found that the implementation of policies for protecting the rights of workers engaged in new forms of employment and promoting flexible employment and the gig work market were among the hot topics. This finding suggests that the public recognizes the importance of creating a flexible and adaptive labor market that can accommodate the changing needs of the workforce.

The findings highlighted the public’s desire for comprehensive housing and social security policies, the need to combat corruption to ensure a fair and just society, and the importance of creating a flexible and adaptive labor market. These results provide a valuable guide for policymakers to develop policies that can meet the needs and aspirations of the public.

The survey also provided valuable insights into the public’s opinion on talent development and social security issues. The findings highlight the need for continued investment in high-tech fields and innovation, a fair and transparent talent evaluation mechanism, and a supportive environment for talent development. Furthermore, the public’s continued attention to social security issues underscores the importance of providing comprehensive social welfare and security policies to address the needs of all citizens.

In conclusion, the results of the survey conducted by People’s Daily Online reveal the public’s strong interest in education and digitalization. The responses suggest that Chinese internet users are invested in improving the education system to meet the country’s economic and social development needs. The focus on education and the recognition of the importance of digitalization are critical steps towards building a highly skilled and educated workforce that can lead China’s global aspirations.

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