. Chinese leaders joined deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, in deliberating the government work report by Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday, calling for concerted efforts to overcome difficulties and achieve fresh development.
When joining NPC deputies from the eastern Jiangsu Province, President Hu Jintao urged them to have a clear mind of the current domestic and international situation, saying "challenges before us are really severe, but opportunities still exist".
Chinese President Hu Jintao (front R), meets with deputies to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from east China's Jiangsu Province, in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. Hu Jintao joined in the panel discussion of Jiangsu delegation on the opening day of the Second Session of the 11th NPC. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun)
He called for more efforts to improve the well-being of the people especially when there are difficulties in the way of economic development. This included increasing job opportunities, expanding the social security net and providing better education and medical care services.
The president urged officials at all levels to oppose waste and extravagance and make good use of money to promote economic and social development and improve people's lives.
He asked officials to "study earnestly, behave honestly and work with integrity."
Wu Bangguo (front R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), shakes hands with a deputy to the Second Session of the 11th NPC from east China's Anhui Province, in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. Wu Bangguo joined in the panel discussion of Anhui delegation on the opening day of the Second Session of the 11th NPC. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
Jia Qinglin (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with deputies from Beijing to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. Jia Qinglin joined in the panel discussion of Beijing delegation on the opening day of the Second Session of the 11th NPC. (Xinhua/Chen Shugen)
Li Changchun (front R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with a deputy to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. Li Changchun joined in the panel discussion of Sichuan delegation on the opening day of the Second Session of the 11th NPC. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (front R), who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with a deputy to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from east China's Shanghai Municipality, in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. Xi Jinping joined in the panel discussion of Shanghai delegation on the opening day of the Second Session of the 11th NPC. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)