Cui Yongyuan is not exactly a new face at the NPC and CPPCC. Over the past 10 years, the China Central Television host has often been seen interviewing various deputies and members.

This year, however, the shoe is on the other foot, as the anchorman takes his seat as a full member at the CPPCC session.

Not that the 45-year-old is fazed by his new role. He said he feels very comfortable with it, as he has been doing "the exact things one expects from a CPPCC member" for the past 12 years.

Named as one of the Top 10 Best Anchors at CCTV in 2005, Cui rose to fame in 1996, as the host of the station's current affairs talk show, "Tell It Like It Is", which was the country's most popular TV show for many years.

After leaving the program in 2002, Cui took a break from work as he battled with depression.

He returned in 2003, as the host of "Talk to Little Cui", another current affairs show, which soon became equally popular.

During last year's NPC session, Cui hosted a series of programs in which he discussed issues of public concern with regional leaders. It was the first of its kind in China.

Cui said one of the best things about his new role is that it makes him feel "more entitled to put forward proposals".

"I was really excited to hear Premier Wen Jiabao talking about the reform of the cultural management system and promoting the development of culture in his government work report," he said.

Cui said he has made a proposal urging the government to formulate a cultural industry policy to strengthen the development of the sector.

China's cultural sector is far from being an industry, he said.

Being an industry means contributing to GDP growth. But according to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's cultural sector contributes just 3.1 percent.

In Japan, the figure is more than 30 percent and in the United States, more than 50 percent, he said.

"The cultural industry is a green industry," he said. "It can contribute greatly to China's sustainable development."

Cui said he has also put forward a proposal to improve the living conditions of retired artists who have devoted their lives to the development of the country's cultural wealth but are left to rely on a meager pension that in most cases stands at 1,000 yuan ($140) per month.

"They deserve a better life in retirement," he said.

(China Daily March 7, 2008)