THE 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, held the closing meeting of its second session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday.

A resolution on the government work report, a revised Organic Law of the State Council, a resolution on the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, a resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Court and a resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate were passed at the meeting.

The national lawmakers also approved the 2024 plan for national economic and social development and the 2024 central budget.

“Striving in unity” is the path the Chinese people must take to create great historic achievements, Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said as he delivered a speech at the closing meeting.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and is a critical year for realizing the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Zhao said implementing the tasks set by the NPC session and striving to realize this year’s economic and social development goals is of great significance.

He called for stimulating the enthusiasm for, and vitality of, entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity of society.

The top legislator also urged endless efforts to build China into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.

During an interview for ministers after the closing meeting, Yu Jianhua, head of the General Administration of Customs, said in the first two months of 2024, China saw that its imports and exports reach 6.6 trillion yuan (US$930 billion), a historical high for the same period.

The growth rate of China’s trade with Belt and Road partner countries is higher than the average level. Cross-border e-commerce, market procurement, and other new foreign trade models have seen strong momentum.

Gao Zhidan, head of the General Administration of Sport of China, said China will further promote extensive fitness-for-all activities, pledging continuous efforts to expand the supply of sports events, fitness venues, and facilities in local communities.

The total number of sports facilities across the country increased rapidly in 2023, with the per capita area of sports venues reaching 2.89 square meters. Additionally, the total length of fitness trails reached 371,000 km, up 107% from 2019, according to Gao.

(Xinhua)