With the opening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People's Congress of the PRC around the corner, Zhao Qizheng, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and spokesman of the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, told reporters on March 1 that the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC this year will emphasize economical and environmentally-friendly characteristics and the duration of the meeting will be shortened to nine days.

Zhao said that for the past five to six years, the duration of the longest CPPCC's annual session lasted for 12 days and the shortest nine and a half days. In-line with the idea of frugality, this year's meeting will be shortened even more to only nine days. In addition, the CPPCC member accommodations will be arranged relatively concentrated to reduce the costs caused by vehicle pick-ups back and forth.

He stressed that the most economical measure comes from efficient conference arrangements. Proposals submitted by members for the "two conferences" number into thousands. The conference organization team will categorize the proposals to enhance efficiency. At the same time, delivery and printing of documents will be reduced and the sending of electronic versions to each member's computer will be adopted as far as possible to avoid waste.

Zhao said this year's global financial crisis attracts much attention. CPPCC members' proposals mainly focus on the financial crisis' effects on the Chinese economy and countermeasures, as well as topics such as the employment issue, rejuvenation of industries, innovations in science and technology, social insurance, education and the medical system.

By People's Daily Online