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In Pictures: China’s congress opens

Nearly 3,000 Chinese delegates attend the first ceremony of the National People’s Party in Beijing.

A group of hostesses pose in front of buses at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The congress will complete China(***)s leadership transition that began with a Communist Party congress in November 2012.
By Rita Alvarez Tudela
Published On 5 Mar 2013

China’s National People’s Congress has opened in Beijing, marking the final stage of the country’s once-in-a-decade leadership change, with top officials promising to fight corruption, address environmental issues and strengthen its military.

At the week-long assembly that began on Tuesday, China will see Xi Jinping complete his transition to president, taking over from Hu Jintao.

The meeting of about 3,000 Congress members will complete China’s transition that began with a Communist Party congress in November 2012 that appointed Xi as party leader and the country’s new chief.

Two Chinese delegates walk towards the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The legislature is made up of nearly 3,000 deputies, most of whom are Communist Party members.
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A delegate representing one of the country(***)s ethnic minorities walks across Tiananmen towards the Great Hall.
Members of the People(***)s Liberation Army band take a rest after playing the Chinese national anthem.
Leaders of China(***)s ruling Communist Party listen to outgoing premier Wen Jiabao’s speech. Wen signalled the party would no longer emphasise growth at all costs, and instead put a priority on social programmes alongside economic development.
Chinese delegates on the second floor of the Great Hall of the People listen to the opening ceremony of the congress, which saw the unveiling of a budget that seeks to boost defence spending.
A member of the People(***)s Liberation Army reviews a transcript of outgoing premier Wen Jiabao’s speech, which underlined the party(***)s commitment to fight corruption that its leaders have stressed is vital to their legitimacy and survival.
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Policemen patrol Tiananmen Square on Segways. Hundreds of soldiers, police and plainclothes security officers, equipped with fire extinguishers and anti-explosive blankets, circled the square and the Great Hall of the People during the opening session.
Beijing firemen wait attentively in Tiananmen Square. Security measures increased because of a recent wave of self-immolations to protest Chinese rule in Tibet.
Journalists conduct interviews outside the Great Hall of the People after the opening ceremony. The congress will last for a total of 13 days.