China’s political advisory body begins annual session

NPC-CPPCC

A Chinese military band rehearses before the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The more than 2,000 members of China’s top legislative advisory body convened their annual meeting Tuesday, kicking off a political high season that will continue with the opening of the national congress later in the week. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

The National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s political advisory body, started its annual session in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.

Some 2,200 members of the CPPCC National Committee from the country’s various walks of life will discuss major issues concerning China’s development during the third session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, which is scheduled to conclude on March 13.

At the opening meeting, Chairman of the 12th CPPCC National Committee Yu Zhengsheng delivered a report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee in 2014.

The year of 2014 was the first year of China’s efforts to comprehensively deepen reform, and an important year for the CPPCC in promoting innovation-driven development of its cause, he said.

Under the firm leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Xi Jinping as the General Secretary, the CPPCC National Committee and its Standing Committee have thoroughly implemented the strategic plans made at the 18th CPC National Congress and the third and fourth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee, as well as the guiding principles from Xi’s major speeches, Yu said.

In 2014, the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee carried froward, made innovations in, and developed its cause by giving full play to its strengths, stressing priorities and improving results, Yu said.

He said the work of the Standing Committee in 2014 was highlighted by major events and priorities.

First, the CPC Central Committee attached great importance to the work of the CPPCC. Second, the Standing Committee held celebrations to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the CPPCC. Third, it rallied support and energy from comprehensively deepening reform. Fourth, it expanded the breadth and depth of CPPCC consultative democracy.

Top party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli also attended the opening meeting.

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The CPPCC is headed by the chairman of its National Committee.

Yu Zhengsheng, the current chairman, was elected in March 2013 at the first session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee by about 2,200 members. Yu is one of the seven members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The annual session of the CPPCC National Committee provides the most solemn arena for political consultation in the country.

Most of the CPPCC members are experienced political figures, social celebrities, and experts and scholars specializing in various fields.


The main functions of the CPPCC are to conduct political consultation, exercise democratic supervision and participate in the discussion and the handling of state affairs. Political consultation covers major principles and policies proposed by the central and local governments and matters of importance concerning political, economic, cultural and social affairs.

The CPPCC’s National Committee and local committees have a functioning term of five years.

Story compiled with information from AP reports.