China's National People's Congress General Assembly Begins

beijing, china - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presents annual work report and budget draft to the congress, targeting around 5% economic growth by 2025.

China's National People's Congress General Assembly Commences

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented the government's annual work report and budget draft to the congress, aiming for approximately 5% economic growth by 2025. The highest legislative body in China, the National People's Congress (NPC), held the opening session of its annual general assembly at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the NPC Cao Li Ci, and prominent members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) attended the session. Premier Li Keqiang outlined goals for growth, inflation, budget deficit, and employment in the report. He set the inflation target at 2%, budget deficit at 4% of the GDP, and aimed to keep the unemployment rate around 5.5% while creating at least 12 million new jobs in urban areas. The government's work report and draft budget will be voted on and approved at the closing session on March 11th. The structure of the NPC determines the country's political and economic direction in the near future, alongside the simultaneous Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The congress, elected for a term of 5 years, is currently holding its 3rd general assembly of the 14th term. The NPC, also known as China's parliament, consists of 2,977 delegates representing cities, provinces, and regions. The NPC General Assembly convenes once a year, while the legislative duties are carried out by the 175-member NPC Standing Committee meeting every two months throughout the year.