Some 3,000 delegates are attending the opening in Beijing of the key event of the Chinese political year - the National People's Congress.
Economic plans are being laid out in Premier Wen Jiabao's speech.
The Chinese government has already made clear its main priorities, to be spelt out at the Congress.
These are a steep rise in spending on education, and an all-out effort to boost living standards for the hundreds of millions living in the countryside.
Mr Wen was to say in his speech that China's economy would grow by an average of 7.5% over the next four years.
On the eve of the Congress, China announced defence spending would increase by 14% - the latest in a series of big annual rises which have prompted concern from neighbouring countries.
(BBC)
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