We begin here in Beijing, where China's annual "Two Sessions" are underway. Every evening over the next two weeks, we'll recap the most important developments from the day's political events. Today we'll focus on the National People's Congress, which has opened its annual session.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang opened the session by delivering the government work report, outlining achievements made over the past five years and setting economic growth targets for 2018.

Premier Li said more than 60 million people have been lifted out of poverty in the past half decade. The government wants to see 10 million more climb above the poverty line this year.  According to Premier Li, the government's economic growth target for 2018 was set at around six-and-a-half percent.  Li said the government will continue with its poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and financial risk prevention efforts.  He stressed the nation's revitalization strategy for the development of rural areas. He also talked about quality improvement in manufacturing and technical innovation in building a so-called "digital China".

NPC delegates reviewed reports on plans and the budget for the year, and listened to a report on the proposed amendment to China's Constitution. At today's "Ministers' Corridor", senior officials took questions, ranging from international trade to domestic affairs.

ZHONG SHAN CHINESE MINISTER OF COMMERCE "Last year, China became the world's largest trading country. In 2018, we should build a new image of China's quality and Chinese brands, and strive to promote the construction of foreign trade powers."

MIAO WEI CHINESE INDUSTRY & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MINISTER "With the technological development and continuous improvements of the charging facilities of green cars, energy saving and emissions reduction will get better and better in the future."

ZHANG ZHIJUN, DIRECTOR TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL "Some groups in Taiwan are trying to make trouble while external powers have strengthened interventions. But I think such factors won't change the peace between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan."

At what's known as the "Delegates' Corridor", lawmakers shared their proposals and experience for the Two Sessions.

PONY MA TENCENT CEO "In 2015, I submitted proposals on the idea of 'Internet Plus'. Two years later, my proposal was about promoting a 'digital economy'.  At this year's Two Sessions, I made proposals on building a 'digital China'. As for the relations between these terms, 'Internet Plus' is the tool, 'digital economy' is the outcome, 'digital China' is our goal."

YANG CHANGQIN NPC DEPUTY "People in rural ethnic minority regions should combine local resources with traditional culture to get rid of poverty. It is more meaningful than just receiving fund from the government."