Political advisors' 'fuss' in the interests of residents

China's natinal political advisers applaud at the closing meeting of the annual session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, on March 13, 2015. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

MEMBERS OF the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the province's main political advisory body, reportedly used props, including scarves and banners with images of popular television figures, to seek a chance to improvise a short speech during a recent routine meeting. Beijing News spoke highly of these political advisors' enthusiasm for participating in local public affairs and urged the relevant authorities to respond to their concerns and improve the advisory channels:

In comparison to those so-called celebrity members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference who never attend local political events or have nothing to offer during the annual sessions, the zealous Guangdong political advisors not only realized their public responsibility but also sought to fulfill it.

It is praiseworthy that they volunteered to make comments and proposals on certain issues on behalf of residents, instead of seeing their CPPCC membership as a privilege or burden. True, they did resort to making a fuss to get the presiding officer's attention, but it is what they proposed in the interests of local residents that matters most.

Their antics were not aimed at gaining popularity, but in utilizing the media attention to speak for the public. As an increasing number of reporters choose to cover the annual political event, local political advisors are working harder on their speeches, some of which turn out to be even more influential than pages of proposals.

Of course, the annual CPPCC sessions at all levels are the first choice for political advisors who want to make their proposals heard by the relevant authorities. That many CPPCC members pay more attention to media interviews and enhance their social media presence is a natural trend of the times.

Local governments should expand the channels through which political advisors can make proposals, promote improvised speeches in other political events, and broadcast them via online platforms.