BEIJING - Despite being absent from the annual CPPCC session again, star hurdler Liu Xiang is still considered a responsible CPPCC deputy by his colleagues.

"Liu asked for leave due to preparation for the London Olympic Games, which is the most important event for him this year," said Hu Jiayan, deputy sports minister and a member of the CPPCC sports group.

"We don't encourage him to stop training only to attend this session. That would be 'putting the incidental before the fundamental.' Liu was selected as a CPPCC deputy due to his excellent performances on the track. Attending the session should not affect his training."