CPPCC observes minute of mourning at opening session

Attendees pay a silent tribute to martyrs who died fighting COVID-19 and compatriots who lost their lives in the epidemic at the opening meeting of the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) yesterday.

China's top political advisory body started its annual session Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held at the Great Hall of the People.

Attendees at the meeting paid a silent tribute to martyrs who died fighting COVID-19 and compatriots who lost their lives in the epidemic.

The agenda for the session was reviewed and approved at the meeting.

Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session.

The report noted the role of political advisers in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, saying that they have submitted more than 1,300 reports and suggestions on preventing and controlling the epidemic, resuming work and production, stabilizing public expectations and strengthening law-based governance.

Giving full play to role of the CPPCC as a specialist consultative body, 71 consultation meetings and 97 research trips and online consultations were organized in the past year, it said.

The report made arrangements for the CPPCC’s work in 2020 in six aspects, urging political advisers to fulfil their duties around achieving a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Attendees were also briefed on the handling of proposals submitted since the previous annual session of the top political advisory body.

The CPPCC has received nearly 300 proposals related to epidemic response from political advisers.

A fast track for handling the proposals from CPPCC National Committee members has been set up to ensure that epidemic-related proposals and those with high priority are dealt with promptly.

The 13th National Committee of the CPPCC on May 8 launched a platform on its website to solicit opinions for its upcoming third session, which marks the first time an annual session of the CPPCC National Committee opens the floor to the public online for their opinions and suggestions.

The minute of silence was proposed in February by Feng Danlong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, through the CPPCC’s online proposal system. She received a reply from the office of the national committee for proposals one day after she handed it in, saying it had been accepted.

Feng said the proposal, in 142 words, was the shortest one she has submitted since becoming a member of the CPPCC National Committee, and received the fastest reply.