China's top political advisory body starts annual session

The third session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 3, 2015. (Xinhua/Li He)

BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The Third Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, opened Tuesday in Beijing, kicking off the most important two weeks on China's political calendar this year.

A total of 2,153 members of the CPPCC National Committee will discuss major issues concerning the country's development during the annual session.

At the opening meeting in the Great Hall of the People, CPPCC National Committee Chairman Yu Zhengshengdelivered a report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee in the past year.

Top Communist Party of China and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishanand Zhang Gaoliattended the opening meeting.