Editor's Note: Since the opening of the annual sessions of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), NPC deputies and CPPCC advisors have actively participated in the panel discussions. Following are the major points of their speeches.

Discussions about state affairs during annual sessions promote democracy     A more open and pragmatic image is what this year's annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have impressed most the media and people at home and abroad.     A Xinhuanet commentary said that people are delighted find that the NPC deputies and CCPPC members are free to express their views on state affairs and people's livelihood and that quality proposals and bills have been submitted in large numbers. Full Story >>> Lawmakers, advisors show concern for public security issues       China's Ministry of Public Security has reviewed all the motions, proposals and suggestions submitted by lawmakers and political advisors during the "two sessions" earlier last year.     Crimes, border entrance and exit regulations, police force management, household registration, public order, traffic, Internet and fire control are among the top concerns of deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body. Full Story >>> China needs more Catholic priests, says political advisor     China needs more clergies to serve the development of Catholicism in the country, which has seen its believers swell from no more than 2 million five decades ago to more than 5.3 million currently, a political advisor Liu,vice president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.     "China needs more clergies to serve the development of Catholicism in the country, which has seen its believers swell from no more than 2 million five decades ago to more than 5.3 million currently," said Liu.  Full Story>>> NPC deputy calls for waiving charges to visit Three Gorges Dam     Peng Fuchun, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), said he would make a suggestion to the NPC, the country's top legislature, at its upcoming annual session that the Three Gorges Dam is open free of charge to all tourists.     "The Three Gorges Project should be taken as a live textbook showcasing national strength and promoting science and patriotism education instead of as a means of profit-making," said Peng, also a philosophy professor with the Wuhan University of central China's Hubei Province, where the Three Gorges Dam is located. Full Story>>> Chinese lawmakers slash "poem scandal" as humiliation of justice      Chinese lawmakers who are in Beijing for the top legislature's annual session have slashed the "Pengshui poem scandal" which resulted in the arrest of a civil servant due to a satirical poem mocking local officials last year,saying it humiliates justice and the nation's move to build a harmonious society.     "It is a crud infringement on the freedom of speech and humiliates our move to build a harmonious society and a society governed by law," Chen Zhonglin, dean of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said Sunday. Full Story>>> Political advisor warns of waste, corruption in over-packing       Over-glitzy packing is chopping down millions of trees every year in China and wrapping up corruption, a political advisor has warned.     Song Xiaohua, who is here attending the annual session of China's top political advisory body, which opened on March 3, called for effective measures to curb over-packing, accusing it a huge waste of already inadequate resources.  Full Story>>> Political advisor tells officials to take oath of office        Put your hand on your heart and be sworn in. China's civil servants, judges and prosecutors are urged to follow the Western practice before assuming office.     "Such a practice could help improve officials' sense of responsibility and honor," said Hu Xusheng, in a proposal put forward at the annual session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Full Story>>>

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