The Second Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) ended Friday afternoon after adopting a political resolution, a resolution on the draft amendment to the CPPCC charter, and a decision on the report on handling of proposals launched a year ago.

The closing 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.

CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin described the session as a "complete success," saying, "It is a democratic, fact-finding, united and morale-boosting session, a session with fruitful results."

"It has demonstrated the vigor and vitality of the patriotic united front under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the level and charisma of CPPCC National Committee members in discussing and handling state affairs," said Jia.

He urged CPPCC committees at all levels and all members to display their roles to the full and do their utmost to fulfill economic and social development tasks set for 2004, a year crucial to China's reform, opening-up and economic and social development.

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

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 delivered at the NPC session.

"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.

Members spoke highly of the country's achievements in the past year and expressed confidence in the accomplishment of all the tasks set forth in the premier's report.

The CPPCC members reached a consensus that the draft amendment to the Constitution is based on the opinions from all walks of life, embodies the important thought of "Three Represents" and the essence of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), reflects the common aspiration of the whole people, and accords with the fundamental interests of the whole people.

According to the political resolution, the amendment to the CPPCC Charter is an important event for the implementation and improvement of the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the CPC leadership, and a major step for the CPPCC to meet the new requirements under the new situation and tasks, which is bound to have a major impact on the cause of the CPPCC.

CPPCC members also voiced firm support to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification of the motherland and one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal for developing the relations across the Taiwan Straits and promoting peaceful reunification of the motherland at the present stage, according to the political resolution.

The resolution says that the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and Macao is an important component part of building socialism with distinct Chinese characteristics and there should be no waver in implementing the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "Macao people governing Macao."

"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," "equilibrium development" and "anti-corruption."

The CPPCC, an organization of elite entrepreneurs, business people, experts and scholars, and literary and art workers, is widely esteemed as China's "largest think tank", whose suggestions and proposals are highly valued by the CPC Central Committee and the Chinese government.

Jia called on CPPCC members throughout the country to carry out in-depth investigations and study of issues of major importance concerning the national economic development and people's well-being as highlighted in the government work report, offer their policy recommendations and perform in a down-to-earth manner their duty of political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs.

"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.

Present at the closing session were top CPC and state leaders Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2004)