The annual seven-day National People’s Congress plenary meeting closed without its chairman Zhao Leji, prompting the closing ceremony to be held by the vice chairman of the country’s legislative body Li Hongzhong.
State media said Zhao applied for leave due to a respiratory infection for yesterday’s closing session, which was attended by 2,884 delegates as well as President Xi Jingping and other state leaders.
At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday, the legislature first passed the government’s working report, with 2,882 delegates voted in favor, one in opposition and one abstention.
The meeting concluded after delegates also passed the central and local government budgets, the NPC standing committee’s working reports and multiple other resolutions, with Li saying that the annual plenary meeting fully completed all its agenda.
“The results of the meeting fully showcased the unity of the party and the people, as well as the NPC system’s prominent political advantage,” Li said.
He added that this is the final year of the country’s 14th five-year plan. The country has to implement the planning and requirements set in the meeting to set a food foundation for the next five-year plan.
After the closing ceremony, Xi stopped by and greeted the two vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying and Edmund Ho Hau-wah.
Michael Shum
National People's Congress vice chairman Li Hongzhong holding the closing session of the annual plenary meeting.
