BEIJING, March 3 (UPI) -- The national committee of China's top political advisory body opened its annual session Thursday, marking the start of the next five-year plan.
More than 2,000 members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from around the country will discuss major issues concerning the nation's development during the annual session in Beijing ending March 13, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
"Over the past year, the CPPCC … made important contributions to responding to a variety of risks and challenges, promoting sound and rapid economic and social development, scientifically formulating the 12th five-year plan," National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin said in his report to the committee. Those attending the opening meeting included Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other top leaders such as Li Changchun and Xi Jinping.
The People's Daily, the powerful mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, in an editorial Thursday said the CPPCC needs to make contributions to promote social stability and harmony, and push forward economic restructuring.
The editorial said the next five-year plan is crucial for the country to build a prosperous society in all respects.
The main focus of the plan is to promote consumer spending and domestic demand while veering away from dependence on exports.
