Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference |
2004-09-05 00:00 |
The CPPCC is neither a state organ nor an ordinary citizen's organization. It is a widely representative, patriotic united front organization of the Chinese people. It has a National Committee and local committees. The CPPCC National Committee is the nation's top advisory body and meets in plenary session once a year. Before the state adopts important measures or makes decisions on major issues having a bearing on the national economy and the people's livelihood, the CPC, as the party in power, consults with the CPPCC National Committee, which consists of representatives of the CPC, the non-Communist parties, democrats without party affiliation, people's organizations, ethnic minorities and other social strata, compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, returned overseas Chinese, and specially invited individuals, in order to reach a common understanding. Once a year leaders of the CPC Central Committee invite leaders of the non-Communist parties and those representatives to meetings for consultation; forums are held every other month. When the CPPCC national and local committees are not in session, special activities for the committee members are organized, including inspection tours of various localities. This system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC is a basic political system in |