A quasi-constitutional united front (q. V. ) organisation that provides an institutional framework for interaction between party and state leaders and representatives of mass groups and democratic parties (q. V. ). Members include distinguished scholars, educators, and intellectuals, key representatives of religious and minority nationality groups, and leading members of political parties loyal to the Chinese Communist Party during the anti-Guomindang years. The first CPPCC convened in 1949, the second in 1954, the third in 1959, the fourth in 1964, the fifth in 1978, and the sixth in 1983, the seventh was scheduled for 1988. The CPPCC's 1949 Common programme served as the law of the land until superseded by the 1954 state constitution.