Guangzhou's 165 deputies have made 473 suggestions focusing on topics including talents, business, and environmental protection at the fifth plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) which came to a close in Beijing on March 15.

The phrase "innovation-driven development", was the most used by Guangzhou's deputies, followed by "eco-environment" and "business climate".

Yuan Zhimin, chairman of Guangzhou Federation of Industry and Commerce told the NPC of the cities' many strengths.

"Guangzhou, a millennium business city, boasts distinct advantages in industrial bases, research and development, technology, human resources, marketing and logistics," Yuan said.

"Large numbers of multinational enterprises and large projects have been attracted to establish operations in Guangzhou," Yuan said. "The city has been striving to forge a legal and international business environment, and improve the convenience of investment trade in recent years."

Currently, Guangzhou is making more effort to highlight its human resources by issuing preferential policies to lure high-level talents, and reduce administrative fees for enterprises, according to Yuan.

Wang Xiaohong, deputy to the NPC, said that Guangzhou always does better than most cities and regions in China on air pollution control.

"Guangzhou's urban air quality is optimal among China's central cities," Wang said. "However, we won't slack off, and do more on areas' air, water and soil management."

In addition, Guangzhou is moving fast to set up a carbon credits trading futures exchange, to better protect the natural environment.

Another focus of the NPC members was talents, which are the key to innovation-driven development. The Guangzhou representatives advised the government to seek more cooperation opportunities with global first-class colleges and universities. In establishing research and technology centers and introducing advanced education ideas and mechanisms to the city, a more sustainable development can be achieved.

During the fortnight of meetings, Guangzhou's members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) also submitted 137 proposes, focusing on manufacturing industry development driven by technological innovation, coordinated development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, and the protection of workers' rights.

President Xi Jinping meets NPC deputies at a panel discussion in Beijing on March 7 during the two sessions. [Photo by Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]