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China’s 13th National People's Congress meets in Beijing

  • <p>Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    1/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • <p>Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aijaz Rahi/AP) </p>
    2/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aijaz Rahi/AP)

  • <p>Security officials push open the doors of the Great Hall of the People at the end of a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP) </p>
    3/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Security officials push open the doors of the Great Hall of the People at the end of a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Military delegates arrive for the second plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Wu Hong/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
    4/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Military delegates arrive for the second plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Wu Hong/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

  • <p>An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    5/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • <p>Photographers take pictures during a news conference by Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, at China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aly Song/Reuters) </p>
    6/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Photographers take pictures during a news conference by Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, at China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aly Song/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    7/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • <p>Attendants serve tea before the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
    8/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Attendants serve tea before the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

  • <p>Delegates leave the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
    9/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Delegates leave the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Security personnel stand guard in front of the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    10/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Security personnel stand guard in front of the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • <p>A Chinese security officer stands guard during the second session of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing on March 8, 2018. (Photo: Roman Pilipey/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
    11/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    A Chinese security officer stands guard during the second session of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing on March 8, 2018. (Photo: Roman Pilipey/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

  • <p>Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    12/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Retired basketball player Yao Ming attends the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
    13/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Retired basketball player Yao Ming attends the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

  • <p>Detail of a delegate in traditional costume arriving for the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters) </p>
    14/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Detail of a delegate in traditional costume arriving for the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters)

  • <p>A soldier stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    15/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    A soldier stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Ushers walk outside the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters) </p>
    16/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Ushers walk outside the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters)

  • <p>A security worker sits at his post before the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
    17/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    A security worker sits at his post before the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters)

  • <p>Chinese Premier Li Keqiang bows after delivering his speech during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
    18/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    Chinese Premier Li Keqiang bows after delivering his speech during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>A Chinese military band conductor leads the band at the end of the opening session of the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP) </p>
    19/19

    China’s 13th National People’s Congress meets in Beijing

    A Chinese military band conductor leads the band at the end of the opening session of the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP)

<p>Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aijaz Rahi/AP) </p>
<p>Security officials push open the doors of the Great Hall of the People at the end of a plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP) </p>
<p>Military delegates arrive for the second plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Wu Hong/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
<p>An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Photographers take pictures during a news conference by Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, at China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Aly Song/Reuters) </p>
<p>An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Attendants serve tea before the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
<p>Delegates leave the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
<p>Security personnel stand guard in front of the Great Hall of the People after the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>A Chinese security officer stands guard during the second session of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee at the Great Hall of the People (GHOP) in Beijing on March 8, 2018. (Photo: Roman Pilipey/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
<p>Hotel ushers pose for a photo at Tiananmen Square as delegates attend the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Retired basketball player Yao Ming attends the second plenary session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
<p>Detail of a delegate in traditional costume arriving for the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters) </p>
<p>A soldier stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People, the venue of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), in Beijing on March 9, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Ushers walk outside the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters) </p>
<p>A security worker sits at his post before the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters) </p>
<p>Chinese Premier Li Keqiang bows after delivering his speech during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters) </p>
<p>A Chinese military band conductor leads the band at the end of the opening session of the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on March 5, 2018. (Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP) </p>
Yahoo News Photo Staff

The 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) has more than 3,000 delegates and is the world’s largest parliament or legislative assembly.

A plan to end constitutional limits on Xi Jinping’s term as China’s president overshadowed this week’s meeting of the country’s ceremonial legislature. The annual session of the National People’s Congress — used to showcase economic initiatives, plans for social programs and other government work — functions largely as a formal seal of approval for the policies fixed by the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

Held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the NPC session is held at the same time as the annual plenary meetings of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Together the sessions are known as “Lianghui” or “Two Meetings.” (Shutterstock/AP)

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