Senior Chinese leaders including President Jiang Zemin are expected to attend the opening session.

Ye Xuanping, vice-chairman of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee is to deliver a work report on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee.

The first annual session of China's top advisory body in the new century is of special importance to the nation, which is embarking on its 10th five-year plan, according to analysts.

During the ten-day session, participants will discuss a report by Premier Zhu Rongji on the outline of China's 10th five-year plan for economic and social development, review a report by the Standing Committee of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee on the outcome of the proposals by CPPCC National Committee members since the third session last year, review and approve new proposals and resolutions, and elect new members to the Standing Committee.

CPPCC National Committee Chairman Li Ruihuan will deliver a speech at the closing ceremony.

The major agendas for the fourth session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are as follows:

-- The opening of the session in the afternoon;

-- To hear a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee by CPPCC National Committee Vice-chairman Ye Xuanping;

-- To hear a report on the work on proposals raised by members of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee by CPPCC National Committee Vice-chairman Wan Guoquan.

(People’ s Daily 03/03/2001)