Sports stars promote greater participation

Although he retired from table tennis four years ago, legendary player Wang Liqin is even busier now as he shifts among different roles in his post-athletic career.

Wang left the sport in early 2014 with two Olympic gold medals when he was one of the most powerful forehand players. Now he is a new member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

The body consists of members from all walks of life, ranging from business tycoons to renowned scholars and Olympic champions such as Wang, who assemble every March at its annual session to discuss major social and economic development issues, while offering proposals and solutions.