Imagine a nation where husbands are required to pay their wives to be homemakers, internet cafes are banned and all problems are solved using a magical political formula known as “scientific development theory”.

These were just some of the ideas on show yesterday when China kicked off its annual political pageant in Beijing, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The political advisory body has no power, but that does not stop its hand-picked members – film stars, ethnic minorities in national dress, sports stars, billionaire entrepreneurs and other “representatives of the masses” – parading their ideas about how the country should be run. It comes ahead of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, the Chinese legislature, which starts tomorrow.

The conference, held at the Great Hall of the People in the centre of Beijing, ostensibly provides a platform for members of China's United Front Democratic Parties, but in truth is an elaborate political show staged to give the impression that the ruling Communist Party is a consultative, democratic body.

China has eight democratic parties, but their leadership, operations and funding are all provided by the communist party.

“The CPPCC has always walked in step with the People's Republic, advanced bravely together with the people of the whole country, and followed an extraordinary, glorious course,” said Jia Qinglin, the Poliburo member who chairs the CPPCC.

Among the proposals this year was one from delegate Zhang Xiaomei, editor of the China Beauty Fashion newspaper, who proposed legislation to force husbands to compensate their wives for doing housework.

One delegate suggested banning internet cafes because of their bad influence on the nation's youth, while another wanted to outlaw sales of dog or cat meat.

Liu Xiang, the 2004 Olympic gold medallist hurdler and CPPCC delegate, suggested top athletic coaches should get better training and more pay.

But Mr Liu, 26, admitted he had been too busy training to write the proposal himself, adding that a self-penned suggestion would have focused more on the welfare of athletes.

The annual gathering is regarded with scorn by many Chinese who see the exercise as a networking event for wealthy, famous and politically- connected people. Even some of the CPPCC delegates have complained the conference has become a club for celebrities.

Many delegates' suggestions are often viewed as frivolous or mere echoes of communist party policies.

One slick delegate approached a Financial Times reporter about his proposal to use Chinese President Hu Jintao's theory of “scientific development” to solve most of the problems facing the nation.

But not all of the 2,374 delegates take their political responsibilities so seriously.

“I didn't feel very well this year,” said one dejected delegate, rubbing his stomach, “so I didn't make any suggestions.”