EXPANDING FOREIGN CONTACTS

-- CPPCC successfully held the 21st Century Forum 2010, and noted statesmen, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs from many countries carried out in-depth discussions and exchanges on global governance, responding to climate change, China's relations with the world and other major issues, and reached consensus on many important areas.

-- CPPCC launched the Public Diplomacy Quarterly and carried out joint investigations and studies on public diplomacy.

-- This year, CPPCC will continue to exchange high-level visits with other countries, deepen traditional friendships, increase mutual political trust with relevant countries, and stimulate pragmatic cooperation in economic relations and trade and other key areas in accordance with the overall arrangements for the country's diplomatic work.

-- CPPCC will encourage exchanges and cooperation between the National Committee's subcommittees and peer institutions in other countries; increase contact with parliaments and congresses, major think tanks, mainstream mass media, and influential figures in foreign countries; and constantly intensify the CPPCC's public diplomacy.

COMMEMORATING REVOLUTION 1911

-- CPPCC will hold a mass meeting this year that focuses on invigorating the country and rejuvenating the nation to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Revolution of 1911.

Related:

China's top political advisory body to convene annual session

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body, will convene its annual session at 3 p.m. Thursday.

At the opening meeting, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, is expected to deliver a report on the work undertaken during the past year by the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee.Full story

People's Daily calls on advisory body to help promote social stability, harmony

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body needs to make due contributions to promote social stability and harmony, and push forward economic restructuring, an editorial in the People's Daily says.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) should fully carry out its functions of political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the discussion and management of state affairs this year, said the editorial to be published Thursday by the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.Full story

China to take stronger measures to ensure food safety: political advisor

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China has become increasingly aware of food safety issues, as indicated by the stricter penalty meted out for offenders in food-related crimes, a member of the country's top political advisory body said Wednesday.

Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the Fourth Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), made the remarks at a press conference.Full story

China needs to be cautious of "Internet mercenaries": CPPCC spokesman

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China should be cautious about "Internet mercenaries", a group of people posting comments online to manipulate public opinion, Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said here Wednesday.

The influence of public opinion via the Internet is getting stronger as more and more people use the channel to exchange views and participate in political issues, Zhao said, noting that China had 457 million Internet users by the end of last year.Full story

China to make public government officials' assets step by step

BEIJING, Mar. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will make public government officials' assets in a gradual manner, Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said here Wednesday.

The disclosure of officials' assets takes time as China has nearly 10 million civil servants and a large number of people working in government-affiliated institutions, Zhao told reporters at a press conference.Full story

Political advisors urged to contribute to formulating China's development plan

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Tuesday called on his fellow advisors to give their suggestions to the country's proposed five-year economic and social development plan.

Jia, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee's Political Bureau and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, made the remarks at a lecture held for members of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee.Full story

Special Report: NPC, CPPCC Annual Sessions 2011

Source: Xinhua