Hostesses enjoy a light moment prior to session

Hostesses pose for pictures in Tian'anmen Square prior to the opening ceremony of the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 5, 2009. China's parliament, the National People's Congress, opened its annual session on Thursday, with Premier Wen Jiabao giving his work report and spelling out broad policy goals for 2009. [Agencies]

• 城鄉差距 rural-urban divide
• 基本醫療保險 basic medical insurance
• 家電下鄉Home appliances going to the countryside

• 中小型企業 SMEs
• 教育公平 Equal Access to Education
• “兩會”熱詞 Popular words
• "三農"Issues of agriculture, farmer and rural area
• 農村留守人口 Rural Left-Behind Population
• more

• Crisis 'can bring China, US closer'
• China's growth significant for world
• Lawmakers highlight 'Scientific Outlook'
• Food law a healthy start
• Feeling the pinch of sagging prices
• more

• From the foreign press
• World media keeps close watch on 'two sessions'
• World stock markets rise amid China stimulus hopes
• Bosses urged to help with labor stability
• CPPCC to address economy, stimulus
• more

• Corruption top issue for public
• China adopts Food Safety Law
• China's economic growth in 2009
• more