Days before the session opens, the country's top political advisory body has made available on its Web site information on its more than 2000 members. The information shows that more than 60 percent of its members are non-communists. Some of them also hold important positions at the State Council.
Ye Jiannong, CPPCC member, said, "It shows the CPC is sharing power with non-communists and has trust in them."
Wei wei, CPPCC member, said, "This is a characteristic feature of our political system. One party leads, the others participate. It's very good."
According to the Web site, this year, more than half of the members are newly selected, and their average age is two years younger than last year's. The athletic star Liu Xiang represents the young force. Every one of the 56 ethnic groups in China has its delegates, and more than 92 percent of them are college graduates or above.
A member from Guangxi said the CPPCC has been pragmatic in its daily work. He cited the establishment of the Guangxi Beibu Bay Economic Zone as a proof.
Peng Zhao, CPPCC, said, "To push the project as a national strategy, the CPPCC has done a lot of work."
The Tianjin New Binhai Planning is another recent example. The relocation of Capital Steel Corporation to Caofeidian in Hebei province met with complaints by the local residents. The CPPCC, led by its top advisor Jia Qinglin, proposed to turn the factory into an environmentally friendly industrial park with clean production and a comprehensive recycling program. The proposal was passed by the State Council.