China's two annual political sessions continue in Beijing. President Xi Jinping joined a panel discussion this morning with National People's Congress deputies from Chongqing Municipality. Li Qiuyuan has more details.

At a meeting with Chongqing deputies, President Xi Jinping stressed the need for scientific, green and sustainable development in boosting growth in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, a plan laid out two years ago to reduce the economic gap between eastern, central and western regions.

The Yangtze, the world's third longest river, runs through nine Chinese provinces and two municipalities. The economic belt covers more than 40 percent of the country's population and GDP.

President Xi stressed the need to prevent disorderly large-scale development along the river and protect its ecology. He also said innovation is a national priority, and China can only get stronger by replacing outdated productive forces.

He called for a favorable environment for the development of science and technology to attract more talent and to lift China's international profile.

After hearing the story of Ma Shanxiang, a grassroots official from a community government office in Chongqing, President Xi stressed the importance of improving governing at grassroots level.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "The tower of socialism with Chinese characteristics needs beams and columns to support it. The Communist Party of China is the framework running through it and the CPC Central Committee is the pillar. The foundation of the building is of vital importance. Without a sound foundation, the whole building will shake. For grassroots governmental organs, the CPC party branches at various levels serve as the backbone. We must consolidate the foundations. We need hundreds of thousands of excellent grassroots officials who can carry out their work pragmatically."

President Xi agreed to a suggestion from NPC Deputy Zhang Xuan that the central leadership help government officials at all levels improve their awareness and implementation of the rule of law in their daily work. He said all government officials should have inter-disciplinary talents, and knowledge of the law. Li Qiuyuan, CGTN.