China's national legislature opens annual session

The 14th National People's Congress (NPC) opens its second session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were present at the opening meeting. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

BEIJING -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting.

Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting.

Lawmakers reviewed a report from the State Council on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, as well as the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024.

They also reviewed a report from the State Council on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, as well as the draft central and local budgets for 2024.

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explained a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting. 

The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. [Xinhua/Ding Haitao]

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a government work report at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

Zhao Leji presides over the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, explains a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Weibing]