The 14th National People's Congress (NPC) opens its third session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were seated at the rostrum. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

　　BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Wednesday started its annual session, with a string of confidence-boosting development goals unveiled, including an economic growth target of around 5 percent for 2025.

　　Nearly 3,000 deputies attended the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

　　Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were seated at the rostrum.

　　Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the session's presidium, presided over the meeting.

　　Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report. Reviewing the work of 2024, he said that in the face of complex and challenging developments marked by mounting external pressures and growing domestic difficulties, China has accomplished the main goals and tasks for economic and social development.

　　“While recognizing our achievements, we are keenly aware of the problems and challenges that confront us,“ he said.

　　Noting that 2025 is the final year for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the premier said China targets economic growth of around 5 percent this year.

　　The country has set the target for its surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent, and plans to create over 12 million new urban jobs in 2025, Li said.