CPPCC Opens Today

Today, Mar 4th is a special day. No, it’s not World Wildlife Day. That was yesterday. Today is the annual opening of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference or CPPCC.

The CPPCC is like the Chinese version of the House of Representatives. It gives professional advice to government officials and the NPC, short for the National People’s Congress. Many think the CPPCC is powerless since it doesn’t have the power to vote. The voting power is in the NPC, which is like the Senate. But don’t underestimate the CPPCC’s power. When it gi ves advice, usually from experts of that subject, officials better need to listen. They are, as it were, sandwiched between the leaders above and the public below, both watching how the officials respond to CPPCC’s advice.

And don’t relax yet, because tomorrow is also an important day in China. What is it? You’ll have to wait and see. That has been the New News Newsminute, thank you.