The 11 th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s parliament, opened its fifth annual session on March 5 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a report on the work of the government at the opening meeting, stressing that this year the Chinese government will “make progress while maintaining stability”.

The report said the year 2012 is important for China amid a leadership transition at the 18 th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be convened this year.

According to the report, China still faces many difficulties and challenges in socio-economic development.

The country aims to cut projected economic growth to 7.5 percent to adapt to an unstable global economic situation, as well as meet the demand for faster economic structural reform.

The exchange rate of Chinese currency will be kept basically stable at an appropriate and balanced level and the total import and export value will increase by 10 percent.

The country will continue its process of consolidation in traditional markets such as the US , Japan and Europe , while expanding in emerging markets, the report said.

The session will close on March 14./.