Beijing, March 3 (Xinhua) The Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) started in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Saturday afternoon.
Some 2,144 CPPCC National Committee members will underline discuss the major areas of concern in the nation's development during the 12-day annual meeting.
Top party and state leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan were present at the inaugural session.
CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin delivered a keynote address.
Founded in 1949, the CPPCC is the think tank for the government and for the country's legislative and judicial organs.
As an open forum where the ruling Communist Party, the non- Communist parties of China and people with no party affiliations discuss state affairs freely, the CPPCC National Committee has been the manifestation of China's socialist democracy.