The NPC consists of about 3,000 delegates and meets for about two weeks each year at the same time as the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, usually in the Spring. The combined sessions have been known as the two meetings.
The CPPCC is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China. The organization consists of delegates from a range of political parties and organizations, as well as independent members, in China. The proportion of representation of the various parties is determined by established convention, negotiated between the parties. Both conference meetings are always held in the People's Great Hall located next to the TianAnMen square.
These meeting sessions have become media events because it is at the plenary sessions that the
Chinese leadership produces work reports. In addition, during NPC sessions the Chinese leadership holds press conferences with foreign reporters, and this is one of the few opportunities Western reporters have of asking unscripted questions of the Chinese leadership.
Currently, the chairman of NPC is Wu Bangguo 吴邦国. The chairman of CPPCC is Jia Qinglin 贾庆林.
