Passionate political adviser pursues quality

Zhu Tianfang, another member of the CPPCC Guangzhou committee, said she has been able to access new fields through the workshop.

"We often have heated discussions and agree on issues to be researched," she said. "We come from different sectors and bring with us competence and a range of ideas. This leads to better research."

Cao made his name during the annual session of the CPPCC Guangzhou committee in 2013 by displaying a 4.4-meter-long graphic detailing the government approvals necessary to launch an investment project.

He used the graphic, which was dubbed the "10,000-Mile March Approval Map", to highlight the need for reform in government approval procedures.

The workshop has since presented a number of attention-grabbing proposals, including ones relating to personal certificates, ride-hailing services, social insurance, preschool education, property maintenance funds, the cost of caring for babies and the improvement of the business environment.

Every year, at least one workshop proposal is followed up on by government departments.

Most recently, three proposals made to the National Health Commission on COVID-19 control received feedback from the commission, which made adjustments as a result.