More chances to give advice: top political advisor

BEIJING, Nov. 20 -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng Wednesday promised more opportunities for political advisors to advise on state affairs.

The political advisory body will increase the frequency of consultative meetings with governments and party organs so that political advisors can express their opinions, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee that closed here Wednesday.

The 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted a major reform roadmap on Nov. 12, which included arrangements to improve consultative democracy and let political advisors play a bigger role in decision making process.

The reform of the political consultative system must follow the right direction, which is socialism with Chinese characteristics, Yu said.

"We shall not simply copy models from other countries. Or we will tread on the wrong path or go backwards," he said.

The CPPCC will play a bigger role in building consensus and uniting people, he said, calling on political advisors to do research, put forwards their genuine proposals and mediate among different groups.