Members of China's top legislature on Wednesday described the legislature's work in the past year as "a good beginning" with improved efficiency and effects.

The Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, China's top political advisory body, met on Wednesday to prepare for a key annual session of the CPPCC National Committee.

"A major focus (at the two sessions) will be the chronic and dangerous smog problem. The State Council issued the Air Pollution Action Plan in September last year, which aims to control PM2.5 in the polluted regions and reduce the consumption of coal to below 65 percent in terms of total energy consumption by 2017."

Environmental issues, especially the nation's problems with smog, will be a major focus at the upcoming two sessions.

The "Two Sessions" is shorthand for the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The presidium of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference met on Thursday to prepare for an upcoming annual session of the CPPCC National Committee.

Ten days after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in December, three provincial level officials were sacked. This shows the strong determination of central government in pushing forward the anti-graft campaign.

Journalists from China and abroad are being invited to cover two major political events in March.

Few public issues have generated so much discussion, unease, hatred and a general feeling of helplessness as the gray blanket of smog that descended across China last year as the country experienced the worst air pollution in its history.

Non-smokers at the current provincial "two sessions" will not be bothered by cigarette smoke, following a nationwide ban on officials smoking in public.

The Second Session of the 12th CPPCC Beijing Committee will begin on Jan 14 and last until Jan 19. The Second Session of the 14th Beijing Municipal People's Congress will open on Jan 16 and last until Jan 22.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, is to convene its annual session in Beijing on March 5 next year.