BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) kicked off its second plenary session here Monday to discuss the restructuring of government departments and candidates for state leaders.

    Restructuring of the State Council departments, elections and appointments of state leaders, including the president, parliamentary chairman and premier, will be on the agenda for next week's National People's Congress (NPC).

    The CPC Central Committee began a three-day session to discuss the issues in advance. Tabled with the CPC meeting on Monday were a draft opinion on the reform of administrative system and a draft plan on the restructuring of central departments under the State Council.

    The meeting will also discuss candidates for state leaders who will be proposed to the first session of the 11th NPC, as well as candidates for leaders of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The candidates' lists will be submitted to the committees' first sessions, which will be held on March 5, March 3, respectively.

    According to a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held Friday, deepening government reform is an inevitable requirement for developing a socialist market economy and socialist democracy.

    "Government reform must be pushed forward unswervingly and implemented in phases with the aim of building an efficient and service-oriented government," the meeting was told.

President Hu urges improved public service in government

    BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China President Hu Jintao has urged the government to provide improved public services for the country's citizens.

    Addressing an assembly of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Saturday in Beijing, Hu said building a service-oriented government was key to social harmony and to government building. Full story

China serious about political advisors' proposals

    BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Departments in China's central government attach great importance to suggestions and comments by members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's national advisory body. Full story

China to elect new State leaders during meeting scheduled for March 2008

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to convene the first plenary session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5, 2008, during which top state and government leaders will be elected.

    The 31st meeting of the 10th NPC Standing Committee, which concluded here Saturday, passed a resolution which sets forth suggestions for the session's agenda. Full story