People's Daily Hails Opening of NPC Session

People's Daily publishes an editorial Monday, March 5, marking the convocation of the fourth session of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC).

The editorial, entitled "New Century, New Situation, New Tasks," describes the session as having an extraordinary importance for the nation.

The session, the first of its kind in the new century, shoulders the task of formulating the first chapter of socialist modernization in the new century, the paper says.

"We believe during the session, deputies will carefully examine the outline of the 10th five-year plan for economic and social development, complete all the scheduled tasks, and live up to the expectations and great trust of the people across the nation in a democratic, practical, united and progressive way," it says.

The editorial outlines the agenda of the session. Deputies to the NPC will hear, examine and approve the outline of the 10th five-year plan and a report on the implementation of the national economic and social development plan for 2000 and a draft plan for 2001.

An amendment to the Sino-Foreign Joint Venture Law is also scheduled for deliberation and approval.

The editorial gives a brief account of major progress China has made during the past five years in economic and social development, including the smooth return of both Hong Kong and Macao to their motherland.

The paper describes the people's congress system as the fundamental political system of the country that suits the actual conditions of China.