Democratic parties advise on rebuilding quake-hit areas

Leading figures of China's democratic parties have advised the government on rebuilding areas hit by the massive earthquake in southwestern Sichuan Province, including the resettlement of quake-affected people and the issue of bonds to raise funds for the reconstruction efforts. The eight democratic parties and a few non-party political organizations are encouraged to provide consultation and advice to the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). Leaders of the democratic parties usually take leading positions of the National People's Congress (NPC), or the legislature, or the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). After visiting areas worst hit by the May 12 quake, the democratic parties' leaders suggested effective resettlement of the quake sufferers. The 8.0-magnitude earthquake has claimed at least... [read full story]