Chinese papers hail opening of CPPCC session
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-03 13:49

BEIJING - The People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CPC), published an editorial on Monday to mark the opening of the First Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) here in Beijing.

The paper calls the session "an important meeting in an important year" as it marks the 30th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening-up Drive, and the year Beijing will host the Olympic Games in August.

The conference is of great significance for further conglomerating the wisdom of the Chinese people, promoting development in a scientific way, and pushing forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it says.

The editorial, which is also carried by the PLA Daily, the voice of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said that the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC is a major system guarantee for the development of the Party's and the State's undertakings.

"The better the CPPCC does in improving itself, the bigger is our progress in democracy," it says.

The China Daily, a major English-language newspaper, hailed the transparency of this year's CPPCC National Committee session.

"Transparency is an essential precondition for validity and success," it said, describing the opening of the CPPCC National Committee session as "a sign of maturity and confidence".

The China Youth Daily also wished the CPPCC National Committee session a success and said the public expects the meeting to focus on improving the lives of the people.

With members from every walk of life, the CPPCC's main functions are political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in deliberation and administration of state affairs.