The Main Ways in Which the CPPCC Does Its Work(2)

Normally, meetings of the Standing Committee last three to four days. Their agenda mainly includes opening and closing ceremonies, meetings for speeches, listening to reports or briefings, group discussions based on special topics, regular group discussions, etc. Their main tasks are to examine the important affairs concerning the conference business and work of the CPPCC National Committee and its Standing Committee; to consult on and discuss the state's general principles and policies, and the major issues affecting the national economy and the people's livelihood by listening to reports and explanations of major issues made by the leading members of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and relevant government departments; to examine the documents submitted to the plenary session of the CPPCC National Committee; to examine important motions, proposals, inspection reports, investigation reports, reports on visits to foreign countries and other reports; to study important matters concerning the CPPCC's work; to consult and decide on the units, the number of members, candidates and groups of the next National Committee; and to consult and decide on increases or changes in the groups, and the number of members and candidates of the current National Committee.

Only if the proposals made at meetings of the Standing Committee or other matters which require voting are adopted by half of all members of the Standing Committee can they become valid.

Meetings of the Chair's Council are the CPPCC's main form of consultation when meetings of the Standing Committee are not in session. Composed of the Chairperson, Vice-chairpersons and Secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, they are responsible for handling the important day-to-day work of the Standing Committee. They are called and presided over by the Chairperson or Vice-chairpersons entrusted by the Chairperson. Generally speaking, they are held once a month, although ad hoc meetings can be convened if necessary and only over half of all the council members are prepared to attend.

Their main tasks are to discuss increases or changes in the groups, the number of members and candidates of the current National Committee and ask the Standing Committee to make decisions through consultation; to discuss the units, the number of members, candidates and groups of the next CPPCC National Committee, and ask the Standing Committee to decide via consultation; to discuss the state's general principles and policies and the major concerns of the people, during which the leaders of relevant departments are invited to the meeting to give information and hear opinions; to examine important suggestions made to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in the name of the CPPCC National Committee or its Standing Committee; to draft the agendas and schedules of meetings of the Standing Committee; to call and preside over meetings of the Standing Committee, draft their agenda and schedule and examine the documents submitted to the meetings; and to implement the resolutions of the Standing Committee and handle its important day-to-day work.

Proposals

Proposals refer to written comments and suggestions which are made to a plenary session of a CPPCC committee or its Standing Committee by members of a CPPCC committee, political parties or mass organizations affiliated with the CPPCC or special committees of the CPPCC and which are examined and put on file by the Committee for Examining Proposals or the Committee for Handling Proposals before they are handled by relevant departments.

Generally speaking, there are four ways to make proposal. First, CPPCC members can make a proposal individually or jointly. Second, during the convocation of a plenary session, a group or a number of groups can make a proposal. Third, a political party or mass organization which is a member of the CPPCC can make a proposal. Fourth, any special committee of a CPPCC committee can make a proposal.

The basic procedures for handling the proposals are presenting the proposals, forwarding them, handling them, and giving replies to the proposal presenters. Upon receiving proposals, the Committee for Examining Proposals or the Committee for Handling Proposals shall examine them and put the approved ones on file based on the principles of respecting and safeguarding the democratic rights of the presenters and ensuring the quality of proposals. According to the content of proposals and the specification of responsibilities of relevant government departments, the units for handling the proposals which have been examined and put on file are determined. The relevant departments of the CPC, state organs, army units, mass organizations concerned and other departments shall handle the proposals in accordance with state laws and regulations, policies and pertinent provisions. When a proposal is handled, the responsible unit shall reply in written form directly in the specified time frame to the first person who presented the proposal and at the same time send a copy of the reply to the office of the committee for handling proposals. If a presenter does not receive a written reply within the specified time, he/she can inquire about it to the office of the committee for handling proposals.