Consultative democracy that serves national rejuvenation

The 11-day annual session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, offered a good chance for its more than 2,000 members to pool their professional experience and wisdom and put forward suggestions on the issues of greatest concern to the general public, which range from poverty relief to food safety to environmental protection.

The significance of this system of political consultation and supervision should never be underestimated, as it plays an irreplaceable role in guaranteeing good governance.

The system is representative of the country, as its members come from all social and industrial sectors, political parties and ethnic groups, representing the interests of people from all walks of life.