Wang Guiying, vice-mayor of Jinan and a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [Photo/Jinan Daily]

Wang Guiying, a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference submitted 10 proposals focusing on people's livelihoods during this year's two sessions, the annual meetings of the country's top legislative and advisory bodies, which kicked off in Beijing on March 5.

Wang, also vice-mayor of Jinan, Shandong province, made her suggestions on issues concerning vocational education, the decline of birth rate, and the elderly care.

Vocational education is an important way for training technical and skilled workers and promoting employment, entrepreneurship and innovation. Measures should be taken to upgrade vocational schools and refine the mechanism for integrating vocational education with industry, Wang said.

More importantly, an independent exam should be established as the main channel for students to enroll in higher-level vocational schools and vocational colleges offering bachelor's degrees, she said.

In addition, Wang also called for more efforts to optimize the childbirth insurance system to prevent the disadvantages that women face once they become mothers such as being paid less because they work fewer hours.

For elderly care, Wang suggested developing a system in which volunteers can amass credits for assisting the elderly and use them later in life to get services for themselves.