The closing meeting of the Second Session of 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on March 12, 2009. [Xinhua]

The Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) concluded here Thursday morning, pledging efforts to help maintain steady and relatively fast economic development in 2009.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee who presided over the closing meeting, described the annual session as a success in boosting confidence and strengthening unity for China's development.

"This year is crucial for us to brave grave challenges both at home and abroad and achieve new progress," Jia said.

He urged the political advisors to shoulder their responsibilities, keep in mind the people's well-being, and contribute to the national effort to maintain steady and relatively fast economic development.

The meeting adopted the work report of the 11th CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee over the past year, and a report on how suggestions and proposals from CPPCC members were handled since the last session.

A total of 1,987 members of the 11th CPPCC National Committee had submitted 5,571 proposals on economic development, government building, democracy and the legal system, among others, by 2 p.m. on March 8.

According to the report on the handling of proposals, political advisors attached great importance to issues related to people's well-being.

They raised 551 proposals on maintaining economic growth, calling for effort to boost economic restructuring and expand domestic demand under the backdrop of the global financial crisis.

Their proposals also include 603 on farmers and agricultural and rural development, 632 on employment, 301 on social security, 657 on education, 426 on medical services and health care, 146 on food safety, and 294 on promoting democracy and the rule of law, says the report.