The First Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress (NPC) held its first press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 4, 2008. Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the First Session of the National People's Congress, answered questions of reporters.(Xinhua Photo)　　

　　BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will deal with any confirmed food safety cases in a responsible manner and in accordance with laws, a parliament spokesman said here on Tuesday.

China to deal with food safety problems in responsible manner

　　"There are indeed very few companies in China which neglect our country's laws, regulations and standards, dodge quarantine and tests, and have their unqualified products smuggled into foreign markets via illegal channels," said Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), at a press conference. Full story

　　Chen Shui-bian to pay dear price for desperate throw of dice

　　　BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan authorities are destined to pay a dear price if they stubbornly take the dangerous path of "Taiwan independence" and make a desperate throw of dice, a parliament spokesman warned here Tuesday.

　　Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for China's top legislature's annual session, told a press conference that the so-called "referendum on UN membership" pursued by the Chen Shui-bian authorities is a grave step in seeking "de jure independence" of Taiwan and will seriously harm the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia Pacific region. Full story

China considers amending election law to give rural people more say

　　　BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's parliament is considering amending the election law to give equal representation to rural and urban residents, said a spokesman here Tuesday.

　　"Provided the progressing urbanization in China, the present election law needs amending," said Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the First Session of the National People's Congress (NPC), at a press conference. Full story

　China's defense budget to grow 17.6 percent in 2008

　　BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China plans to increase its defense budget by 17.6 percent in 2008, a parliament spokesperson said here on Tuesday..

　　The planned defense budget for 2008 was 417.769 billion yuan, a rise of 62.379 billion yuan from last year, Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for China's top legislature's annual session, told a press conference. Full story

　　　Panchen Lama too young to enter China's top legislature

　　　BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Panchen Lama is too young to become a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said a parliament spokesman here Tuesday.

　　"China's regulations stipulate that NPC deputies must be above 18 years of age," said Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for the First Session of the 11th NPC, at a press conference. Full story