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China's annual parliament session today kicked off amid growing security concerns sparked off by a deadly terror attack at a railway station in Kunming city, which killed 33 people and injured 143 others.
The fortnight-long session would see meetings of its main legislature National People's Congress (NPC) and advisory body Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Security concerns over the terror attacks blamed on Xinjiang's Islamists, anti-corruption drive and deepening conflict with Japan is expected to dominate the discourse at the two sessions.
The CPCC session, consisting of 2,200 hand picked professionals by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), began on a sombre note paying homage to the victims of Saturday's terror attack in Kunming.
The NPC, which consists of over 2900 deputies elected and nominated by the CPC, would begin its sessions on March 5. It will debate and pass legislations on economic and political reforms initiated by President Xi Jinping-led government.
The gatherings, of two relatively powerless bodies that play a minor role in legislation, are significant as they are being held after Xi and Premier Li Keqiang took over the reign last year in a once-in-decade leadership change of the party.
After taking over power, Xi had launched an administrative campaign against corruption leading to prosecution of highly placed officials.
In his inaugural speech chairman of the CPPCC, Yu Zhengsheng, pledged to further efforts to contribute to the deepening of the country's reforms in a comprehensive manner.
"We will perform all our functions in a spirit of reform and innovation throughout the course of our work... And strive to play a bigger role in the development of the cause of the Party and country," Yu said in his report.
He said 2014 is the year to implement the CPC's decision to deepen reforms, and is crucial for completing the 12th Five-Year Plan.
The CPPCC will conduct thorough investigations and studies on key reform areas -- including the fiscal and tax system, the judicial system and the internet management system -- to provide reference materials for the Party and the government in their decision making, Yu said.
It will also conduct democratic oversight on how well major reform measures and tasks have been carried out, and put forward candid suggestions and comments thereon, he said.
The CPPCC will strengthen ties with ethnic minorities and religious groups to promote development, unity and harmony in ethnic regions, he said.
