Diversity to boost CPPCC meeting

Political advisors more active in social participation: analyst

China's top political advisory body is scheduled to kick off its annual session on Tuesday, with members from more diverse backgrounds becoming increasingly active in China's social and political affairs which can only aid in China's progress, analysts said. [Special coverage]

The 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open its annual session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, will deliver a report on the work undertaken by the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC during the past year.

As of midday Monday, 945 proposals have been submitted, Lü Xinhua, CPPCC spokesperson, said at a press conference in Beijing ahead of the session on Monday.

Lü said that the role of the CPPCC has been highlighted by the Communist Party of China and central government and last year's proposals had been handled with efficiency.

Xu Yaotong, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times that the members of the CPPCC are becoming more active in drafting proposals and participating in social and political affairs.

"The role of the CPPCC has been emphasized by the government and the members' proposals have received more attention. This in turn encouraged political advisors to participate in social affairs," Xu said.

About 5,052 out of 6,101 proposals raised since the second session of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC held in March 2014 were deemed useful and endorsed to authorities, said Sun Gan, chief of the subcommittee for handling proposals of the CPPCC National Committee, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

During a bi-weekly consultative session in April 2014, Yao Ming, a former NBA star and a CPPCC member, proposed the abolition of commercial sports event approval procedures. His proposal was lauded by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and later became a policy released by the State Council in September.

President Xi Jinping in September 2014 highlighted consultative democracy as China's unique way to foster consensus among the people.

Through the system of consultative democracy, such as political advisory bodies, the public is consulted when important State affairs are decided, Xi said.

"China is facing a wide range of reforms … These reforms are all related to grass-roots organizations and the public, which is why it is crucial to involve various members to assist in policy making," Xu said.

According to Jilin-based newspaper New Culture, 21 of the top 100 of Hurun's 2014 China rich list in China are members of the CPPCC and 15 are deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC).

The combined fortune of the 36 is estimated to top 1.2 trillion yuan ($191 billion), more than the gross domestic product of Vietnam, the newspaper added.

Absorbing businessmen, especially successful ones, into political bodies, is necessary as they can provide more precise and comprehensive suggestions to the country's economic development, Xu said.

"To allow them to participate in politics reflects the fruit of China's reform," Xu said.

Li Yanhong, founder of Chinese search engine giant Baidu, ranked sixth on the rich list and a CPPCC member since 2013, will propose that China should set up a plan to develop artificial intelligence and promote a medical registration network in this year' sessions, chinanews.com reported on Monday.

Xu Xing, a professor of politics with the Zhou Enlai School of Government at Nankai University, told the Global Times that some wealthy members might take advantage of the two sessions to acquire more political approval from the government to promote their own business.

"The CPPCC should pay more attention to the political accomplishments of its members and have more full-time members to ensure the quality of proposals," Xu Yaotong said.

The annual session of the 12th National People's Congress is scheduled to begin on Thursday.