Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved the country's development blueprint for the next five to 15 years and adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the closing meeting of China's annual legislative session. 

The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded on Thursday afternoon after a seven-day gathering. 

The lawmakers approved resolutions on the government work report, and the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate at the meeting. 

They passed resolutions on the implementation of the 2020 plan and on the 2021 plan for national economic and social development, and approved the 2021 plan for national economic and social development. 

They also passed the resolutions on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2020 and on the central and local budgets for 2021, and approved the central budget for 2021. 

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, called on the NPC to adhere to a people-centered approach in its work when delivering a speech at the meeting. Deputies should play a principal role in the work of the NPC, which will boost the position of the people as masters of the country, he stressed. 

Read more: 

This is China: Can anyone's idea in China become law?

This is China: Are National People's Congress deputies really exempt from the law?

The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 was adopted at the meeting, unfurling a roadmap of China's development for the next five years and beyond. 

The 14th FYP period (2021-2025) will be the first five years of China's new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the country's main targets during the 14th FYP period when delivering the government work report on March 5: 

– Major economic indicators to be kept within an appropriate range, and annual targets for economic growth to be set in light of actual conditions;  

– Surveyed urban unemployment rates of within 5.5 percent;  

– An annual increase of R&D spending by more than 7 percent;  

– An increase of permanent urban residents to 65 percent of the population;  

– A reduction of energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent and 18 percent, respectively;  

– A raise of the average life expectancy by one year;  

– Basic old-age insurance to cover 95 percent of the population. 

These targets are set to improve the quality of economic growth, pursue innovation-driven development, create a robust domestic market, promote green development and improve people's well-being, the premier said. 

China has set a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of over 6 percent for 2021, according to the government work report.

Read more:

China unveils blueprint to become global leader in innovation

What inspires China to go green?

The decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR was passed by an overwhelming majority vote at the fourth session of the 13th NPC.  

It is another major step taken by the state to improve the HKSAR's legal and political systems since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR was adopted in June 2020. 

Read more: 

Carrie Lam supports NPC decision to improve HK electoral system

Improving Hong Kong's electoral system: What's at stake?

While deliberating a draft of the decision, the NPC session was of the view that the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 put the region once again under the overall governance system of the country, and China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR jointly form the constitutional basis of the HKSAR. 
  
The electoral system of the HKSAR, which includes the methods for the selection of the chief executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council, is an important part of the political structure of the HKSAR, according to the session. 
  
The electoral system should conform to the policy of "One Country, Two Systems," meet the realities in the HKSAR and serve to ensure that Hong Kong is administered by people who love the country and love Hong Kong, according to the session. 

(With input from Xinhua)