We begin in Beijing, where China's annual political season, the "Two Sessions" continues. President Xi Jinping attended a panel discussion with National People's Congress deputies from Guangdong on Wednesday. The southern province is said to be one of the most important frontiers in the country's reform and opening-up drive. During the dialogue, Xi reinforced China's commitment to this policy and encouraged local companies to get involved where they could. Rory Coen has more.

President Xi said Guangdong has always been the forerunner and pilot site for reform and opening up and it has been playing an important role in the process of modernization. He fully acknowledged Guangdong's efforts over the past five years, and encouraged them to grow the province through reform and innovation so it can play a leading role in China's bid to buid a high-quality, open and modern economy.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "Development is the first priority. Talent serves as the first resource. And creativity is the first driving force. China will not become truly strong if we do not follow the way of creative development, and our old driving forces cannot successfully convert to new ones. China must rely on creativity to become strong, and creativity comes from talent."

President Xi also stressed that Guangdong should promote "opening up" with a broader vision, higher goals and stronger actions. He said the province needs to speed up building a higher-level and open economy, to actively participate in the Belt and Road initiative. He encouraged officials to fully utilize the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and make it a world-class mega-region. In addition, he stressed the importance of implementing effective social governance and order. He said it was important to increase people's sense of gain, happiness and security, and to ensure they live in a more fulfilled, secure and sustainable environment.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "The Communist Party of China is committed to making people happy. We work on whichever areas that our people feel unhappy and unsatisfied, and we spare no efforts in resolving the problems of our people."

The Chinese president also said he was fully behind the draft constitutional amendment, as it was a strategic decision made by the Communist Party of China to advance the rule of law, and upgrade the country's governance systems and capabilities under the circumstances of the "new era". He said the process of making the draft constitutional amendments has fully demonstrated the spirit of democracy and common will of the people. Rory Coen, CGTN.