Monday sees the opening of this year's session of the country's top advisory body, the CPPCC, two days ahead of a session of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress.

Coverage of the annual session of the CPPCC is one of the times when the media really gets close to the nation's top think tanks. And this year, reporting seems to be much easier.

CPPCC spokesman Wu Jianmin released that discussions involving almost all member groups of the CPPCC will be open for media access during the session. Last year, half of the 34 groups were not open to the press.

Wu Jianmin, spokesman of 11th CPPCC National Committee, said, "Aside from the opening, closing and plenary sessions of the CPPCC national committee, journalists are invited to cover the panel discussion and joint panel discussions of different groups. At the end of each open discussion, journalists will be given some time to interview the members."

The CPPCC members will discuss the government policies and deliberate a report on institutional reform of state Council. 3 press conferences are scheduled: one on multi-party cooperation, another on emerging social groups and a third on the Olympics.

The session's media center handles journalists' requests. The information is also available on the government's websites, with details such as the names and interview agendas of CPPCC members.

This year's proposals from the members are concentrated on people's lives and the country's reforms.

Wu Jianmin said, "One of the hot issues to be raised is the post-disaster reconstruction of areas hit by severe snow storm in southern China. Members will offer many useful ideas, like, emergency management and so on."

During the 11-day session, the CPPCC members will bring their proposals to the capital and debate the best way forward for the shaping of the nation.

The growing openness of the political session signals greater transparency of the country's political system. Many believe, greater media access could mean the voices of China's political advisors and the people they represent, will have more influence in society than ever.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2008)