Top advisory body starts annual session
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-03 15:08

The First Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opens in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

BEIJING -- The First Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) started in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday afternoon.

A total of 2,195 CPPCC National Committee members coming throughout the country attended the opening meeting. They will underline major concerns of the nation's development during the annual session scheduled to conclude on March 14.

Special coverage: 2008 NPC & CPPCC Sessions Related readings:  Highlights of Jia's work report of top political advisory body  Overseas reporters for NPC & CPPCC increase by 20%  Inflation major concern of lawmakers, advisors  NPC deputies list published  Non-Communists tipped for top posts

CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin began to deliver a keynote report on the work of the Standing Committee of the 10thCPPCC National Committee during the last five years after the session started at 3 pm.

"We gave full rein to the important role of the CPPCC as a political organization and form of democracy," Jia said.

During the plenary sessions, members of the National Committee listened to the reports on the work of the government and other important reports, and submitted comments and suggestions about revising the Constitution, formulating important laws and regulations such as the Anti-Secession Law, and other important matters related to the well being of the country and the people.

Leading comrades of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee participated in 71 group discussions of the CPPCC National Committee members on state affairs, Jia said.

Responsible persons from the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and concerned departments listened to speeches at the sessions of the National Committee and participated in group discussions 1,300 person-times.

Top CPC and state leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang were present at the meeting.

Founded in 1949, the CPPCC consists of elite members of the Chinese society who are willing to serve the think tank for the government and for the country's legislative and judicial organs.

As an open forum where the ruling CPC, non-Communist parties and people without party affiliation discuss state affairs freely and on an equal footing, the CPPCC has been the manifestation of China's socialist democracy.