CPPCC Plays an Important Role in Socialist Democracy

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or CPPCC, concluded its annual meeting Thursday in Beijing, with advisors pledging to speak louder for the well-being of the people. CRI's Zhou Jing reports that as the top political advisory body in China, CPPCC has played an important role in the development of a socialist democracy in this country since its establishment 60 years ago.

Reporter:

The over 70-year-old CPPCC member and president of the Dunhuang Academy, Fan Jingshi, is quite happy recently as the government has taken action to protect the world cultural heritage Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes as she proposed.

"After five years of investigation, my proposal to better preserve and use the Dunhuang Grottoes has finally been taken up by the central government. At the end of last year, the National Development and Reform Commission secured over 200 million yuan to carry out the project. "

Raising proposals is one of the major ways CPPCC members, who are elites from all walks of life, participate in state affairs. Many new policy initiatives in recent years were formulated after taking into consideration proposals raised by CPPCC members, often described as the government's "think tank".

Having been a political advisor for over a decade, Wang Chaobin, an entrepreneur from Henan Province, has a lot to share in this regard.

"Every year, I brought several proposals to the meeting. I proposed farm taxes be reduced years ago. It was acted upon very soon after. I also suggested calling off the interest tax and providing free compulsory education which were both taken up. It's my responsibility to lodge constructive and practical proposals."

First convening in 1949, the CPPCC is a unique creation in China with its main functions to conduct political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs.

Zhou Jing, CRI News.