The opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2026. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, opened its fourth session on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders attended the opening meeting.

Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting.

Lawmakers examined a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.

They examined the report on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2026 draft plan, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2026.

The opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2026. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Lawmakers also examined the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2025 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2026, and the draft central and local budgets for 2026.

Li Hongzhong, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered explanatory remarks on a draft environmental code, a draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, and a draft law on national development planning, respectively.

Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, March 5, 2026. [Photo by Zhang Wei/chinadaily.com.cn]