China needs to improve food and drug safety (2)

People's Daily Online: In recent years some foreign consular officials, executives and experts are invited to attend the provincial NPC and CPPCC sessions. What do you think about this?

Mary Peng: This is an excellent opportunity to provide more transparency and openness on the workings of the Chinese government. Traditionally, China has been a closed society when it came to sharing its political decision-making processes. As China takes its place firmly in the global arena, it must become more open and invite the observation and eventual participation of foreign nationals with the knowledge and experience to help and advise China on the healthy growth and development of the nation.

People's Daily Online: Since you have stayed in China for many years, what do you enjoy the most? What upset you the most?

Mary Peng: I have been in China for 22 years and China is my permanent home. Having lived in Beijing for most of these last 22 years, I have enjoyed the tremendous development and advancements offered to us in our daily lives such as the ubiquity of mobile phones, high-speed Internet access, online banking and shopping, world-class shopping malls, excellent restaurants, convenient delivery services and the ability to obtain just about anything one needs. The changes I have witnessed in the past two decades have been truly breath taking. I never imagined so much change could be possible in such a short span of time.

On the downside, the quality of life issues we all face from China's warp speed development is now taking its toll. Air pollution, food and drug safety, traffic congestion and the increasing costs of living are part of the negative aspects that accompany rapid development. Our leaders need to moderate the country's growth and continue to implement major structural and policy reforms accompanied by strict enforcement of regulations so that our nation's development is sustainable and quality of life is maintained.

As an animal lover, pet owner and the founder of the first full-service international animal hospital and pet care facility in China, the strengthening of the human-animal bond and the regard of companion animals as beloved members of the family by Chinese pet owners is one of the most wonderful things I have had the good fortune to witness.

But we still have no animal protection laws in China to prevent the abuse, abandonment and mistreatment of animals. My hope is that we will see the passing of such a law to protect these beloved companion animals and family members in the very near future.

People's Daily Online: How do your friends think about the annual political sessions of NPC and CPPCC?

Mary Peng: My friends that are not China watchers may find the NPC and CPPCC sessions quite mysterious. It is hard to keep track of all the new faces and names of government leaders and to navigate what all the announcements and promulgations from the sessions will mean in terms of impact on their daily lives.

My China watcher friends and I are keenly interested in the social, political and economic developments of China. We watch and keep up with the NPC and CPPCC as it sheds light on the future direction of the nation and the impact that China's new leaders may have globally. We find it fascinating!