CPPCC session closes
( 2002-03-14 00:45 ) (1 )

As China's most extensive patriotic united front organization, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will focus on unifying China and its people, said leaders at a closing ceremony of the session Wednesday.

The chairman of the top Chinese advisory body, Li Ruihuan, stressed the importance of a role as CPPCC members, urging them to do more to communicate with Chinese people from all walks of life.

Party and State leaders, including Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing and Li Lanqing, also attended the closing meeting.

"CPPCC members should protect the rights of all parties, organizations and individuals and voice their opinions,'' said Li Ruihuan.

He urged CPPCC members to carry out in-depth investigations, study major issues concerning economic construction and people's living standards, and then propose practicable recommendations.

Li said the CPPCC should create more ways to enhance its role in maintaining social stability and the democratic consultation system.

In the closing session members also adopted a political resolution, which said CPPCC members are very much concerned about a number of problems such as reform and economic development and stability. Members also raised a series of proposals on issues such as expanding domestic demand, accelerating the development of agriculture and the rural economy, increasing the income of farmers and expanding employment opportunities.

Members expressed their appreciation of CPPCC's work at this session.

"The annual CPPCC session opens up an effective channel for Hong Kong people to participate in the administration and discussion of State affairs,'' said CPPCC National Committee member James P.C. Tien from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Throughout the session, representatives from the Hong Kong SAR were able to share their experiences with the mainland, particularly on the challenges after World Trade Organization entry. They also assisted the nation in following international practices, Tien said.

Two other resolutions were also adopted in the closing session -- Members accepted the report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC and a report on proposals by CPPCC members.

As of March 8, the official deadline for receiving proposals, the Subcommittee for Handling Proposals of the CPPCC received 3,583 proposals.

According to a report on the regulations for handling proposals, the subcommittee adopted 3,368 or 94 per cent of them. Among the adopted proposals, 1,460 proposals, or 43.4 per cent, dealt with economic construction, 889 were on science, education, culture, health and sports, and 1,019 were on political and legal affairs, personnel, and unity issues.

The 215 proposals which were not adopted will be transferred to departments for study and reference.

(China Daily by Zheng Xiezu)