The Third Session of the the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5. [Xinhua]

BEIJING - China's National People's Congress (NPC), the country's parliament, started its annual session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Friday morning.

Premier Wen Jiabao will deliver a report on the work of the government at the opening session, chaired by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo.

A total of 2,939 lawmakers are present at the opening meeting along with top Party and state leaders Hu Jintao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang.

A deputy (front) takes pictures before attending the opening ceremony the Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 5, 2010.

The Chinese national flags and national emblem are seen at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 5. The Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) opened here today.

The Chinese national flags are seen at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 5. The Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) opened here today.