The third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened Thursday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders led members of the National Committee of the CPPCC in paying silent tribute to those who died fighting COVID-19 as well as compatriots who lost their lives during the epidemic. 

Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report to the political advisers who have gathered to discuss major domestic political, economic and social issues and make proposals.

In reviewing the work since the second session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC last year, Wang underscored the committee's active role in fighting the epidemic. 

"We've been encouraging the members to use mobile platforms to fulfill their jobs in terms of preventing and controlling the epidemic, resuming work and production, stabilizing public expectations as well as strengthening law-based governance," said Wang in the work report. 

"We have collected and submitted over 1,300 pieces of advice and suggestions on this work," he added.

Wang said the standing committee has broadened the ways of consultation and unleashed CPPCC's best potential as an advisory body, adding that 71 consultation meetings, 97 research trips, as well as online consultations were organized in the past year.

The CPPCC is neither a body of state power nor a legislature, but a political organization with democratic functions and Chinese characteristics, the chairman stressed in the work report. 

"We are an organ to organize consultations, not the main body to conduct consultations; we are not consulting 'with' the CPPCC but consulting 'in' the CPPCC," he said.

Wang Yang stresses role of CPPCC as platform for democracy

The political gathering was delayed for over two months due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The proposed agenda of the annual session includes hearings and deliberation on a report about the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and a report on how the proposals by its members were dealt with after the previous session.

The upcoming CPPCC session: Safety, recovery, public health and more

The agenda was reviewed and approved by CPPCC members at the opening meeting on Thursday. 

Click here to watch the opening session.