China opens political advisory session

Source: Xinhua | 03-03-2009 15:12

BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body, started in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.

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The Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the  Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)  opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital  of China, March 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

A total of 2,160 CPPCC National Committee members coming throughout the country attended the opening meeting. They will underline major concerns of the nation's development during the annual session scheduled to conclude on March 12.

Attendees sang the national anthem after the session started at about 3 p.m., for the first time in the history of China's annual "two sessions" of the political advisory body and the national legislature. Previously the national anthem was played at such occasions, with attendees standing and listening to it in silence.