NPC in a nutshell

The first full session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's highest law-making body, opens today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

It will involve 2,987 deputies - recently elected for a term of five years - from the country's provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and from the People's Liberation Army.

During its term, the NPC will oversee national administrative, judicial and procuratorial bodies, and debate and formulate China's development path for the next five years.