Deputies on Government Work Report

China's top legislature opened its annual session on Tuesday in Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his final work report, highlighting China's economic and social targets for the year.

It was met with wide support from the deputies to the 12th National People's Congress.

PKG

In the report, Wen reviewed the progress China has made in the past five years.

He also outlined the economic blueprint for 2013 - including keeping growth at 7.5 percent, without increasing from last year... As well as lowering inflation to 3.5 percent, from last year's 4 percent.

Maintaining steady growth while reducing consumer price rises is an ambitious target - but delegates say they support it:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) LIU ZHONGJUN, NPC deputy:

"The Premier has made practical sum-up of our past achievement and put forward good suggestions for future."

On social issues, Wen said the government will put people's well-being first, giving priority to education, health care and social security:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) WEN JIABAO, Chinese Premier:

"We should expand social security and make higher-level authorities accountable for its management, raise social security benefits, better coordinate all social security programs, make social security more equitable and sustainable, and facilitate the smooth transfer of social security accounts between localities. This year, basic pensions for company retirees should be raised by another 10 percent."

Wen's words have echoed deputies' own concerns:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) LI HUI, NPC deputy:

"The government will give high priority to ensuring and improving people's well-being. As a public servant, I'll remember this and practice it in action."

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) ZHANG ZEQUN, NPC deputy:

"The government will invest more in improving people's well-being and pay more attention to vulnerable groups. This gives us more confidence...We'll consider the report further and put forward our proposals."

On the environment issues, Wen said: "We should give the people hope through concrete action."

He also said unbalanced and unsustainable development remains major challenges to China's future as a global economic power...

As well as increasing conflict between growth and the environment, as seen in the hazardous air pollution that smothered China in recent months... Which he warned the new leadership, must address:

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) CHEN WEIMIN, NPC deputy:

"The government is vowing to adopt effective measures to tackle serious air, water and soil pollution, and return a good living environment to the people. The pledge is very encouraging."

Wen's report also touched on the international economic pressures China faces.

He said with the global financial crisis lingering, the world economy remains unstable.

But that China remains in a crucial era of opportunity, with plenty of room to grow, at home.