-- The CPPCC called a special session of the Chairperson's Council to discuss earthquake relief and post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction, studied and discussed the Master State Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction Following the Wenchuan Earthquake, and arranged for National Committee members to travel to the quake zone to conduct a survey. Many valuable comments and suggestions rewarded these efforts.

Beijing Olympics

-- The CPPCC mobilized and organized National Committee members to actively support the Olympics and Paralympics and spared no effort in their service to them. The CPPCC held the forum "Wholeheartedly Welcome the Olympics," during which it made comments and suggestions to optimize preparations and achieve the goal of a green, scientific and people-oriented Olympics.

-- National Committee members supported the games as Olympic volunteers and organizers or in other capacities, in which they did a great deal of excellent work. The CPPCC actively encouraged compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and people of Chinese origin to contribute money to help build Olympic venues and stand up courageously in defense of the Beijing Olympic torch on its international relay.

Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese

-- The CPPCC organized inspection tours and fact-finding missions for over 100 National Committee members from Hong Kong and Macao in provincial-level administrative areas in the central and western regions and in the quake zone to help them better understand economic and social development on the mainland and strengthen cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. The CPPCC conducted investigations and studies of the contribution the people of Hong Kong and Macao made to reform and opening up on the mainland and made suggestions on how to give them a bigger role.

-- The CPPCC arranged for inspection tours to Taiwan, invited distinguished guests from Taiwan to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, and arranged for world famous Taiwan businesspeople to visit the mainland. The CPPCC hosted a variety of groups visiting from Taiwan, totaling more than 500 people.

-- The CPPCC invited overseas Chinese representatives to attend plenary sessions of the National Committee as observers and arranged for overseas Chinese to come to China on visits and inspections. The CPPCC staged a choral concert entitled "My Chinese Heart," hosted by people from the Chinese mainland and Chinese nationals from the United States. The CPPCC solicited constructive proposals from overseas Chinese scholars and experts on how to open China yet wider.

Foreign contacts

-- Over the past year, the CPPCC National Committee dispatched 21 missions to 33 countries for visits or meetings and hosted 14 delegations from 11 countries and two regional organizations.

-- The CPPCC actively participated in international multilateral activities under the auspices of relevant organizations.