BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Foreign media have paid great attention to the annual full sessions of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which opened in Beijing on Monday and Saturday, respectively.

    Asia News Time in Thailand issued a commentary on Monday, saying that with the deepening of China's opening-up reform and rapid economic development, the NPC and the CPPCC are playing a more and more important role in China's political life.

    The bills, proposals and suggestions brought by lawmakers and committee members are directly concerned with the people's livelihood and closely linked to the political and economic construction of the nation, the commentary said.

    The NPC is China's national legislature and the CPPCC is the top advisory body.

    The Paris-based Nouvelles d' Europe, the biggest Chinese newspaper in Europe, published an editorial expressing concerns about the fortnight-long sessions of the NPC and CPPCC, as well as appreciation of China's strategy of building a harmonious society.

    The editorial said people are concerned about the two sessions, especially about the national policies established at the meetings and the future orientation of China.

    To build a harmonious society in China and to promote a harmonious world at an international level would be the shining points of the two sessions this year, it added.

    An editorial published by Philippine World News said the CPPCC plays an increasingly important role with its participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs and democratic supervision.

    Japanese media reported that the Chinese government will focus its efforts on addressing issues concerning people's daily lives, including the income gap, medicare, education and social security.

    The Sankei Shimbun daily said that closing the income discrepancy between rural and urban regions was highlighted in Premier Wen Jiabao's annual report delivered at the NPC meeting. And to that end, the Chinese government will grant more favorable policies to rural areas, where over 900 million people live.

    The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said the Chinese government will place priority on issues like improving people's livelihood, restricting the requisition of farmland, creating more jobs, increasing the cheap housing supply and protecting the interest of the disadvantaged.

    Wen's report underlined environmental and energy-saving concerns and brought forward a guideline which emphasizes that China needs stable rather than speed-only economic growth, the Jiji news agency said in its reports.

    In France, the major newspaper Les Echos used three full pages on China's achievements and the problems that need to be tackled.

    The newspaper said that as lawmakers are gathering in Beijing to work on policies for more balanced development and a reasonable wealth distribution system, China is invoking all its power in order to build a harmonious society.

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China's parliament starts annual session

State leaders (front row) attend the opening meeting of the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's parliament started its annual full session Monday morning with Premier Wen Jiabao announcing a series of measures to promote social harmony.

    "Social harmony and stability as well as a better life are the aspiration of all the people and an important goal for the work of the government," Wen said, when delivering a work report to 2,890 lawmakers present at the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC).

Premier Wen delivers government work report

Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a report on the work of the government at the opening session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>

Foreign reporters welcome ease in rules

A total of 504 overseas reporters had registered for the two sessions by Thursday. Overseas journalists covering the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC can for the first time contact and interview lawmakers and political advisers "directly." (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 3 -- Overseas journalists covering the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC can for the first time contact and interview lawmakers and political advisers "directly," thanks to a newly implemented regulation that grants them more freedom in reporting the events.