The annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened yesterday as chairman Wang Huning called on deputies to help in hitting the targets of the 14th Five-Year plan set out by the Communist Party's Central Committee.
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The meeting also kickstarted the annual Two Sessions involving top political advisory body CPPCC and top legislative body National People's Congress.
During the meeting, attended by state leaders that included President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, NPC Standing Committee chairman Zhao Leji, Wang said CPPCC Standing Committee members have comprehensively fulfilled their duties in his working report.
"We have to make Chinese modernization the central theme of our work and focus on the concerns of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the interests of the people, and address major strategic issues related to national economic and social development," Wang said.
"We will organize and conduct in-depth investigations and research. This will enable us to provide genuine insights and sound recommendations for the Central Committee in formulating the proposals for the 15th Five-Year plan."
In a press briefing earlier, NPC spokesman Lou Qinjian said Hong Kong and Macau have always been an important "window" for the country's opening up.
The two SARs have taken a unique place in the country's over four decades of history in reform and opening up and both have also paid "huge contributions" and are "irreplaceable," Lou said.
"The central government rolled out a series of measures to fully support Hong Kong's and Macau's participation in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area."
Lou said the GBA achieved an economic output of over 14 trillion yuan (HK$14.97 trillion), facilitated a smoother flow of goods, capital and personnel across the three areas, as well as made the concept of "one-hour living circle" possible in the past five years.
He added that due to the development of the GBA, Hong Kong saw 45 million visitors last year.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Lou said DeepSeek deserves recognition after garnering international attention and its rise is a showcase of the spirit of innovation and inclusiveness.
He said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development and regulation of AI, as well as the protection of data privacy in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrived in Beijing yesterday. He will attend the NPC opening session today, along with Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai. Premier Li Qiang is expected to deliver his working report in the meeting.
