The second session of the 13th National People's Congress opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
The second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) began at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Policy discussions and planning will take place over the next two weeks, setting the country's tone and goals for 2019.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders are attending the opening meeting.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is delivering a government work report to lawmakers.
Here are the highlights of the work report:
On fighting pollution
China to intensify efforts to tackle pollution, boost green development
China will strengthen efforts to prevent and control pollution and boost environmental protection, according to the government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday.
China to cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by 3 pct
China will further improve its environment by cutting the energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 3 percent in 2019, says a government work report.
Stronger emphasis on green measures unveiled
China will pursue both high-quality development and environmental protection by reforming and refining relevant systems, according to the Government Work Report delivered in the opening of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress on Tuesday.
China to increase 2019 allocation on preventing, controlling air pollution by 25 pct
China's central government will allocate 25 billion yuan (3.73 billion U.S. dollars) to prevent and control air pollution, an increase of 25 percent year on year, says a draft budget report to be submitted to the country's annual legislative session.
China to cut SO2, nitrogen oxide emissions by 3 pct
China will cut its sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 3 percent in 2019, in a bid to consolidate and expand the gains in its efforts to keep its skies blue, says a government work report.
On macro economy
China aims for six to 6.5 percent GDP growth in 2019
China expects its GDP growth to be in the range of six to 6.5 percent this year, compared with 2018's target of 6.5 percent, according to the annual government report released on Tuesday.
Review of China’s economy in 2018: Progress toward decisive victory
Although facing a complicated and challenging domestic and international environment in 2018, China still accomplished its main targets for economic and social development with economy under new downward pressure, the annual government report said on Tuesday.
China to promote steady growth in consumption
China will use a combination of measures to increase urban and rural personal incomes and boost capacity for consumption, says a government work report.
Premier admits severe challenges in China's economy
Premier Li Keqiang admitted that China faced severe challenges caused by the growing pains of economic transformation, when delivering the government work report to the annual legislative session Tuesday.
On defense budget
China to lower defense budget growth to 7.5 percent
China will lower its defense budget growth rate to 7.5 percent in 2019, from last year's 8.1 percent, according to a draft budget report to be submitted to the annual session of the National People's Congress opening Tuesday.
