"The government's proactive fiscal policy and moderately easy monetary policy to deal with the economic slowdown are showing positive results, but any economic recovery will take time to be fully seen," said Jia Kang, director of the research institute for fiscal science affiliated to the Ministry of Finance.

"If there is no obvious recovery starting from the second quarter, the authorities should take more forceful monetary steps to push for firmer results in the second half of the year," Jia, also a CPPCC member, told China Daily.

Zhao Xijun, deputy dean of the school of finance of Renmin University of China, said: "Any further measures taken by the government to address the current challenges should also consider the global economic situation and the specific circumstances of provinces and regions."

Border trade, employment and the rural-urban development divide are also high on the agenda of political advisors, Zhao said.

During the CPPCC session, members will discuss the government work report to be submitted by Premier Wen Jiabao as well as the work reports of the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate.

(China Daily March 3, 2009)