China’s annual rubber stamp parliament closes with reform pledge

China’s annual rubberstamp parliament, the National People’s Congress, has ended with a pledge to keep plans to reform the world’s second largest economy on track, but the whole proceedings were overshadowed by the mysterious disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines flight carrying 154 Chinese passengers among the 239 missing.

Premier Li Keqiang addressed journalists at the end of the session, but his comments were deeply underwhelming. "We will make breakthroughs in reform on important issues this year. We will continue to push forward the simplifying of administration and the decentralising of government power, allowing market forces to take effect," he said.

However, he conceded the economy was proving more challenging this year.

“I do not deny that we will face more complicated factors this year. The reason we have set GDP growth at around 7.5 per cent is that we are considering the need to keep stability in the labour market, to benefit people’s livelihoods, and to increase the income of urban and rural residents.”

He underlined the government’s aggressive tone on corruption. “We will show zero tolerance for corrupt behaviour and corrupt officials. China is a country ruled by law. No matter who it is, or how senior their position, everyone is equal before the law. If they violate party discipline or national law, they will be seriously dealt with and punished according to the law,” Mr Li said.

Mr Li gave a restrained response on the missing Malaysian Airlines plane, saying it was an international and large-scale search operation involving many countries.

“The Chinese government has asked the relevant party to enhance coordination, investigate the cause, locate the missing plane as quickly as possible and properly handle all related matters,” he said.

China is reportedly angry at how Malaysia has handled the search and rescue mission, but the whole world remains baffled as to the flight’s fate.