Wang Yang (left), elected chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), shakes hands with Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Members of group vary in age, academic history and walk of life

A new leadership was elected on Wednesday to guide the development of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for the next five years.

Wang Yang, who turns 63 this month, was elected chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee.

Wang was elected at the fourth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. Twenty-four vice-chairs and 300 standing committee members were also elected by more than 2,100 CPPCC National Committee members.

Xia Baolong was elected secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee.

Following tradition, the vice-chairs include representatives of non-Communist parties, former chief executives of special administrative regions, leaders with ethnic minority backgrounds and top officials of some other central organs.

The CPPCC serves as a key mechanism for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and is a major element of socialist democracy.

CPPCC members said they expect the new leaders, who vary greatly in age, academic background and walk of life, will carry on the good practices of their predecessors and make the CPPCC a better platform for socialist democratic consultation.

"The new leaders were elected today with high votes in favor, which shows the support from the CPPCC National Committee members," said Qi Zhifeng, a CPPCC National Committee member, also deputy director of the China Association of Auctioneers.

"In a new era, the CPPCC should play a better role in promoting consultative democracy," he said. "As a new CPPCC National Committee member, I'll follow my mission, do solid research and submit high-quality proposals."

Wang Yili, another CPPCC National Committee member and chairwoman of China Energy Power Group, said she thinks the new leadership will make the CPPCC a better platform for socialist democratic consultation and a hub for good ideas. She said she believes the new leaders will attach more importance to improving people's livelihoods.

As scheduled, the first plenary session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee will close on Thursday, but the annual session of the top legislature－the National People's Congress－will continue until Tuesday.

The country's new president, vice-president, Cabinet, top judge and prosecutor are expected to be elected before the legislative session ends.