Despite a number of high-profile corruption arrests, many experts agree that an effective system of checks and controls that prevent graft is urgently needed.

China needs to turn corruption into "a high-risk activity that provides skimpy returns," experts say.

They predict that motions on corruption prevention will be in the spotlight at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference scheduled to open on March 5 and March 3 respectively.

The two sessions are considered the most important annual political events in China.

This year the two sessions are particularly vital as the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which convenes every five years, will take place in Beijing this fall.

Gan Yisheng, vice secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, has revealed that a state corruption prevention bureau, which will attempt to stem graft at its source, will soon be established.

A total of 97,260 Party members were punished last year, many of whom were found to have taken bribes or turned a blind eye to their duties.

Case files of 3,530 members were handed over to prosecutors, including Shanghai's former Party chief Chen Liangyu.

Other important issues, such as expensive medical care, rising educational fees, soaring housing costs, scant social security coverage, mounting employment pressure, and the low incomes of farmers, will also top the concerns of participants at the two sessions, experts say.

Official Websites, including Xinhuanet.com and people.com.cn, have already opened forums to collect public opinion. The Websites say there are no restrictions on discussion of "sensitive" issues.

Premier Wen Jiabao also invited 12 ordinary residents to join the discussion of the government's work report which will be submitted to the NPC's annual session.