The Second Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) ended in Beijing Friday afternoon.

The closing session presided over by CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin adopted a political resolution, a resolution on the draft amendment to the CPPCC charter, and a decision on the report on handling of proposals launched since the First Session of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee. The meeting also accepted the report on the work of the Standing Committee of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee and the report by the Proposals Sub-Committee on the examination of proposals.

The draft constitutional amendment, currently being examined by the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC), was strongly endorsed by the 2,000-plus CPPCC members.

The CPPCC members hold that the amendment to the CPPCC charter has embodied the spirit of "going with the times" and will help CPPCC improve and standardize the systems and procedures of performing its duties and functions.

CPPCC members hailed Premier Wen Jiabao's report on the government work.

"The report presents an accurate and apt picture of the current situation in the country and the solutions the Premier offers to existing problems are pragmatic and feasible," said distinguished economist Lin Yifu.

"The biggest common understanding achieved at the CPPCC session is to carry on with the next round of transition and development with a scientific approach to development and translate into action the "people first" idea. The importance of such consensus can never be overestimated to China at the major cross-road of development," said Chen Qingtai, a CPPCC member and economist from the State Council Development Research Center.

The major advocacy of the ruling party, after getting consensus of all parties and all walks of life, will become state policies and actions of the government in administering state affairs.

A considerable portion of the 4,312 proposals received and 706 speeches made at this year's CPPCC session are related to such issues as "scientific approach to development", "people first", "agricultural, peasants and rural economy problems", "equilibrium development" and "anti-corruption".

CPPCC, an organization of the patriotic united front of the Chinese people, is widely esteemed as the country's "largest think tank", whose suggestions and proposals are highly valued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government.

"After the session, we CPPCC members will turn our attention to major issues that concern development and policy decisions and pressing problems that concern the well-being of the people," said Lin Yifu

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2004)