The NPC did not approve Zhu's gas tax programme because it would discard the user fee principle of financing highways and transfer road maintenance cost to all gasoline users, including farmers who operate farm machines only and seldom use urban highways. The end result would be forcing farmers who are at a disadvantage already to subsidize urban road users. This is the second time in history that the NPC has rejected a State Council proposal, providing evidence that the NPC is no longer a "rubber stamp congress." It is possible that the NPC will also challenge WTO terms, after an agreement is reach between US/Chinese negotiators and signed by Clinton and Zhu. Just like the US Congress, the NPC can refuse to ratify the agreement. A separation of power is emerging in Chinese government.
Henry C.K. Liu