A well known figure of 'very high standing' will be back at this year's political meetings - quite literally. Chinese basketball star Yao Ming is now a member of the CPPCC's national committee and he won't be hard to spot during the two sessions. Last year, Yao Ming submitted a proposal to reform sports administration and he continues to work to improve all aspects of sports in China.

A former NBA star, and now a member of the CPPCC’s national committee.

Yao Ming is a big man on a big mission. He wants to streamline the way sports in China are administered.... to inject some vitality. And some much needed private capital.

Last September, his efforts paid off. A State Council meeting agreed to drop the entire tournament examination and approval system.

There were some immediate results - five new marathons are being staged in 2015, after the Chinese athletics association dropped its old registration procedures.

But it's not just a simple case of abandoning the old ways. Yao says he's no longer a basketball star... he's now devoted to his public service work.

And this year, he's back with a new proposal - on improving the development of sports in Chinese schools.