China's national legislature opens annual session

The third session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2015. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

The 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its third annual session Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. [Special coverage]

Premier Li Keqiang delivers his annual government work report at the opening meeting, chaired by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and executive chairperson of the session's presidium.

Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies from across the country attended the opening meeting along with top Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli.