Annual NPC session unveils China's action plan for rejuvenation

China's national legislature convened its annual session Monday, announcing actions that will shape efforts in the years to come to make China a great modern socialist country.

The first session of the 13th National People's Congress opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2018. China's national legislature convened its annual session Monday, announcing actions that will shape efforts in the years to come to make China a great modern socialist country. [Photo/Xinhua]

That vision and a two-step approach were raised at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last October: for socialist modernization to be basically completed by 2035, and to become a great modern socialist country by the middle of the century.

Monday's opening of the National People's Congress (NPC) session marks a key national assembly after the Party congress. Observers say it will lay a solid foundation to turn the Party's blueprint into action in a "issue by issue, year in and year out" fashion.

Before nearly 3,000 NPC deputies gathering at the Great Hall of the People, Premier Li Keqiang delivered the government work report.

He called on the people to rally even closer around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, be enterprising and work hard.

"Let us make new contributions to make these goals a reality," he said.

The premier struck a confident note as he went over "historic achievements" made in the past five years, despite an "extremely complex" environment both at home and abroad.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 54 trillion yuan to 82.7 trillion yuan; more than 68 million people were lifted out of poverty; 66 million new urban jobs were added.

And the country is leading the world in high-speed rail, e-commerce, mobile payment and the sharing economy.