Express

March 5， 2021： The fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress （NPC） is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During the session， lawmakers adopted documents including the report on the work of the government， the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan （2021-2025） for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035， and the work report of the NPC Standing Committee. Lawmakers also adopted the amendments to the organic law and procedural rules of the NPC. Chinese President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the amendments. The session also adopted a decision to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region （HKSAR）. After completion of all items on the agenda， the session concluded on the afternoon of March 11. by Li Xueren/Xinhua

March 4， 2021： Journalists attend a group interview via video in Beijing. Members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference （CPPCC）， China’s top political advisory body， took questions via video at the Great Hall of the People. That day， the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee commenced.

A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee， a resolution on a report on how the proposals from CPPCC members have been handled since the previous annual session， a report on the examination of new proposals， and a political resolution on the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the meeting. Political advisors unanimously agreed to support the NPC， the national legislature， on a decision to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. The 13th CPPCC National Committee concluded its annual session on the afternoon of March 10 after completing all of the items on the agenda. by Yang Jia/China.org.cn

March 11， 2021： A newly formed Hong Kong cross-sector alliance holds a press conference to express firm support for a NPC decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR.

On March 11， Chinese lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to adopt a decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR at the fourth session of the 13th NPC. It came months after the NPC Standing Committee enacted the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR， which represents another major move by the Chinese central government to improve the legal and political systems of the HKSAR. According to the decision， the electoral system should conform to the policy of “One Country， Two Systems，” meet the realities in the HKSAR， and ensure that Hong Kong is administered by people who love the country and love Hong Kong. It should be conducive to safeguarding China’s national sovereignty， security， and development interests and help maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. by Wang Shen/Xinhua

March 12， 2021： Potato seeders work in a field in Weihai City， eastern China’s Shandong Province.

On February 25， 2021， China declared complete victory in its fight against poverty after realizing its goal of eradicating absolute poverty in the country. Shaking off poverty is not the finish line， but the starting point of a new mission. After its victory in poverty reduction， China will comprehensively promote rural revitalization， a historic shift in focus of work related to agriculture， rural areas， and farmers. According to this year’s report on the work of the government， China will implement the rural revitalization strategy across the board and promote steady development of agriculture and growth in rural incomes. The country will continue to promote the development of areas that have been lifted out of poverty， bolster agricultural production， and improve working and living conditions in rural areas. VCG

February 21， 2021： A five-day Spring Festival temple fair for children opens in Yuquan District of Hohhot， northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires a strong material foundation as well as powerful spiritual support. The Chinese government attaches great importance to cultural development and has devised a strategic and holistic plan in this regard. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China （CPC） stated that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period （2021-2025）， efforts would be made to build China into a culturally strong country， develop cultural undertakings and industries， and enhance the country’s cultural soft power. IC