The central authorities have attached unprecedented importance to proposals put forward by top political advisers, who are now in Beijing to attend the annual plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Nearly 4,500 proposals on economic, political, judicial, scientific, educational, cultural and health issues have been submitted since last March, and nearly all of them have been handled, according to a work report made by Luo Haocai, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

Many proposals complained that the government did not inject sufficient investment into rural compulsory education.

In the past, operation of many primary and junior middle schools had to depend on tuition fees collected among students.

Due to this, some schools lacked sufficient financial support. Many rural students quit their studies due to an inability to pay fees.

In response to proposals from advisers, the Ministry of Finance moved investment in rural compulsory education to the top of its work agenda last year.

In December last year, the State Council or the central government approved a plan submitted by the ministry.

Starting from this year, the government will cover all expenses of primary and junior middle schools in the countryside.

Tuition and affiliated fees are to be exempted for rural students during the compulsory education period, and free textbooks will be provided to students whose families are in poverty.

It is expected that the central and local governments will increase rural compulsory education investment by 218 billion yuan (US$27 billion) in the next five years.

Altogether, like the proposals on rural education investment, 83 per cent of the problems raised have been solved through government efforts, according to Luo.

Proposals submitted by political advisers are written complaints or advice towards the government.

To submit proposals is a right of CPPCC members and participating parties and organizations. Proposals are required to be scientific and enforceable.

"This is an important way for the CPPCC to fulfil its function of political consultation and democratic supervision," Luo said.

Some advice put forward in proposals have been absorbed in the draft to the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), which will be discussed at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC National Committee.

For example, Wang Yifu, a CPPCC National Committee member, suggested establishing an economic zone on the west coast of the Taiwan Straits as part of the 11th Five-Year Plan.

Currently, this has been included in a draft of the plan, according to Luo.

The idea of building the zone would mainly cover East China's Fujian Province and the neighbouring Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.

It is expected that the zone will promote economic and technological communications crossing the Straits.