When China's famous hurdler, Liu Xiang, also a member of China's political advisory body, was asked what proposal he was going to put forward to this year's sessions in Beijing, his response was: "No proposals, I'm coming to learn."

The sports celebrity from Shanghai was selected as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2008, but he missed his first conference as he had a world championship race in Spain. The following year, he missed the first part of the session as he was receiving medical treatment in the United States.

Last year, he finally submitted two proposals - one calling for the creation of an effective welfare system for coaches, and the other advocating active development of track-and-field sports, both of which were criticized by some as "empty."

"A lot of change (in the sports field) took place after my proposals were handed in. In Shanghai, incomes of athletes and coaches were raised," Liu told reporters when he was about to leave for Beijing last week for the CPPCC annual session.

"Since I am a relatively young member, I should learn from others," he said.

However, Zhang Yiyi, a writer, accused Liu of "wasting taxpayers' money." As without proposals there was "nothing he could talk about during the meeting."

Zhang said "Liu's biggest function was being photographed" as celebrities attracted much media attention during the country's annual political event.

But others speaking in favor of Liu said the public should not demand too much from athletes, actors and singers who had been chosen as political advisers.

Different from lawmakers, they were not elected by the public but chosen to represent a certain circle of the society and offer proposals for the development of their sectors.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments