Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, attends the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, May 22, 2020.
The National Peoples Congress session is more a chance for the authoritarian ruling Communist Party leadership to directly communicate its message than an occasion to debate or pass laws.
The premier traditionally caps off the session with his sole annual news conference broadcast live nationwide.
Discussion may be more limited this year by social distancing requirements, although it isnt clear how strictly they are being enforced.
At Thursdays opening session of the CPPCC, rank-and-file members wore masks but sat in rows as usual with little space between them.