The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body, started its annual session this afternoon.

China National Radio, China Central Television and China Radio International are all broadcasting the event live.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the 11th CPPCC National Committee delivered a report on the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee’s work over the past year.

Zhang Rongming, vice-chairwoman of the 11th CPPCC National Committee, reported at the session's opening meeting how the suggestions and proposals from CPPCC members were handled since the last session.

The second session of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC will run until March 12 and coincides with the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, which opens on Thursday.

(China Daily March 3, 2009)