Backgrounder: CPPCC sessions, leaders

BEIJING - The First Session of the First National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing during Sept. 21-30, 1949.

With the participation of 662 representatives from all walks of life, the session elected Mao Zedong chairman of the First CPPCC National Committee.

The CPPCC ceased to exercise the functions as the supreme organ of power with the birth of National People's Congress in September 1954. Since then, the CPPCC, with its broadest representation, began to function as a patriotic united front organization.

The annual session of the CPPCC National Committee provides the most solemn arena for political consultation in the country.

The first sessions of the second, third and fourth CPPCC national committees were held in 1954, 1959 and 1964 and elected Zhou Enlai chairman and Mao Zedong honorary chairman.

Deng Xiaoping was elected chairman of the Fifth National Committee of CPPCC, which was held in Beijing during Feb. 24-March 8, 1978, with an attendance of 1,988 members, the first ever held after the 1966-1976 "Great Cultural Revolution."

The First Session of the Sixth CPPCC National Committee was convened during June 4-22, 1983. With 2,039 members attending, the session elected Deng Yingchao its chairperson.

The Seventh CPPCC National Committee met in its first session during March 24-April 10, 1988 and elected Li Xiannian its chairman. The session was attended by 2,081 members.

The First Session of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee was convened in Beijing during March 14-27, 1993 in Beijing with 2,093 members attending. It elected Li Ruihuan its chairman.

The First Session of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee was held in Beijing during March 3-14, 1998 in Beijing, with 2,196 members attending. It re-elected Li Ruihuan its chairman.

The First Session of the 10th CPPCC National Committee was held in Beijing during March 3-14, 2003, with the participation of 2,295 members.It elected Jia Qinglin its chairman.

The First Session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee was held in Beijing during March 3-14, 2008, with the participation of 2,195 members. It re-elected Jia Qinglin its chairman.