The annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress, opens today and runs through March 14.
The highlights follow:

- Saturday, March 5:
After a 9am opening ceremony, Premier Wen Jiabao will deliver the government's work report, followed by reviews of State Council reports on the implementation of the 2004 Plan for National Economic and Social Development, the 2005 Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development, central government and local budgets for 2004 and draft budgets for this year.

- Sunday, March 6:
Li Zhaoxing, foreign affairs minister, will hold a news conference at 10am on the international situation and China's foreign policy.

- Monday, March 7:
A news conference on economic and social development and macro controls will be held at 10am by Ma Kai, minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission; Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of China; Liu Mingkang, chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission; and Li Yuan, vice minister of land and resources.

- Tuesday, March 8:
The second plenary session begins at 9am with a vote on a draft decision to accept a request by former President Jiang Zemin to resign as chairman of the Central Military Commission. And, Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, will provide an explanation of the draft anti-secession law.

- Wednesday, March 9:
The third plenary session starts at 9am with a report on the work of the NPC's Standing Committee by its chairman, Wu Bangguo.
Other reports will be given by Xiao Yang, president of the Supreme People's Court; and Jia Chunwang, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
A news conference will be held at 3pm on taxes and other fiscal issues by Finance Minister Jin Renqing and Xie Xuren, director of the State Administration of Taxation.

- Thursday, March 10:
A news briefing is scheduled for 10am on agriculture, rural and farmer issues by Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin; Jiang Weixin, vice minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission; Li Xueyong, vice minister of science and technology; and Zhu Zhigang, vice minister of finance.

- Sunday, March 13:
The fourth plenary session will begin at 9am. Among the agenda items are the election of the chairman of the Central Military Commission and members of the Tenth NPC Standing Committee.

- Monday, March 14:
Votes will be taken on resolutions relating to the various government work reports, development plans, budgets, composition of the Central Military Commission and the anti-secession law. Following the closing of the NPC session, Premier Wen will meet with reporters at 10:30am.