Former NBA star and Chinese icon Yao Ming on Thursday called for the eradication of sales of illegal animal products through legislation and promotion of animal protection awareness among the public.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joins a panel discussion of deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from east China's Shanghai, in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2014.

Deputies attend the opening meeting of the second annual session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), March 5, 2014.

Five key words from Li's govt report

The booths were set up in six cities by China Central Television, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Guangzhou and Chongqing, to serve as a platform for the public to express their ideas during the annual legislative and political advisory sessions.

Deputies talk at a panel discussion during the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), March 4, 2014.

Daily snapshots from two sessions

Retired Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming, top, also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, arrived for the opening of the 2nd Session of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2014.

Guiding ladies wear identical red work uniforms on the opening day of the 2nd Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2014.

China's top political advisory body observe one minute of silence for the terror victims in Kunming as they open their annual session in Beijing.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee at the second session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 3, 2014.

Police patrol Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, March 2, 2014. Security has been stepped up as the annual two sessions open on March 3.

Abe's visit to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine has seriously undermined the political foundation for Sino-Japanese relations.

Deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) arrive in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2014.