The Press Conference for the third session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is taking place in the Great Hall of the People. The session's spokesman, Zhao Qizheng is providing information about the session and answering questions from the media.

The 3rd plenary session of the 11th CPPCC will open on March the 3rd in Beijing. More than 22-hundred CPPCC members will attend this year's gathering. During the annual consultation, social welfare issues, including housing, education, medicare, and employment are expected to be the hottest topics.

Every March in China, members of the CPPCC's national committee gather in Beijing to discuss political, economic and social issues.

During the conference, committee members discuss the government's work report and submit suggestions or proposals to lawmakers in the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature. They also observe the NPC's plenary session as part of their role in political consultation and supervision of state affairs.

Political consultation covers major principles and policies proposed by the central and local governments. It also includes matters of importance concerning political, economic, cultural and social affairs.

The top political advisory body has a diverse membership. It includes members of the Communist Party of China, eight non-Communist parties and members with no political affiliation. The CPPCC also includes experts, scholars and public figures in various fields.

Most members are experienced political figures and well-known in the public eye.

The CPPCC consists of a National Committee and smaller, local committees. CPPCC committees hold annual sessions over their five-year functioning terms.

Over the years, the CPPCC has raised important issues and put forward proposals that have helped create policies for the benefit of the country.

The special sub-committees of the CPPCC have made a great contribution to the nation's development since the 2nd plenary session of the 11th CPPCC last year.

(CCTV March 3, 2010)