The convening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on September 21, 1949 turned over a new page in China's system of democratic politics. The decisions to announce the founding of the People's Republic of China, elect the central people's government, and decide the new Republic's national flag and national anthem were all made at the first plenary session of CPPCC, a historic contribution of the CPPCC to the country. From then the CPPCC, as a patriotic united front of the Chinese people and an important organ for the development of multi-party cooperation, political consultation and democratic supervision under the leadership of the CPC, has played a significant role in China's political history and social development as well as in the drive to modernize the country and safeguard China's unity and reunification.

For years, the CPPCC at various levels, through the annual plenary sessions, quarterly Standing Committee meetings as well as chairmen's meetings and workshops of the Standing Committee members, has raised substantial opinions and suggestions concerning issues having a direct bearing on the nation's economy and the people's livelihood. In the meantime, they have voiced opinions and criticisms concerning the implementation of various laws, the implementation of major decisions by the Party, government and people's congress at different levels, and the conduct of duties, legal adherence and integrity of government agencies and their staff.

The fifth plenary session of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee alone submitted more than 10,000 motions and proposals to the CPC Central Committee, State Council and the National People's Congress. All these motions and proposals were based on in-depth investigations and research and related to the country's guiding policies. Some of them provided valuable information for the central government and local authorities. Some were adopted and implemented, greatly promoting the economic and social development of China.