Challenges severe, but opportunities exist, president tells deputies

State leaders joined deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, in deliberating Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report yesterday, calling for concerted efforts to overcome difficulties and achieve fresh development.

Joining NPC deputies from the East China's Jiangsu province, President Hu Jintao said "challenges are really severe, opportunities still exist" to describe the current domestic and international situations.

"We must seize the opportunities, tackle the challenges and minimize the impact of the international financial crisis," Hu said.