Chinese Premier Li Keqiang opened the 12th National People's Congress annual session in Beijing Thursday, reporting China's progress and achievements in the past year and laying down pressing issues that will be tackled in the coming days.

First on the list that was tackled was China's economic growth target, which Li cut down to 7 percent this year

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Li's presentation focused on lowered expectations in economic growth. He stressed that the economic target will be adjusted and reduced to 7 percent this year, the lowest in more than a decade.

In a 38-page work report, Premier Li's annual speech focused on the highlights of the government's progress and achievements in the past year as well as the future direction of the country.

The economy and the environment were some of the major points tackled by Li in his address.

The other topics that were given much attention included increased military spending and rules and regulations against corruption and environmental pollution.

Premier Li said China will increase its military spending this year by more than 10 percent or in the amount of $141.5 billion.

Li admitted that environmental matters and the high level of corruption ranked very high on the list of issues that the legislature will tackle in the sessions.

He pointed out that pollution tremendously affects the people's 'quality of life' and promised to enact laws addressing this menace.

He also vowed to eradicate massive corruption and tighten its supervision over public funds and state-owned assets.

The state-run news agency, Xinhua, quoted President Xi Jinping as saying that China should adapt to the 'new normal' of slower growth rate.

The term was first used by President Xi in 2014 which he referred as the 'adjustment of expectations in a cooling economy'.

Some 3,000 delegates from across China have convened for the annual opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament. The sessions which will run until March 15 are being held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Earlier, delegates of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), NPC's advisory body, have aired their issues and concerns in their annual sessions hoping that the legislative body will tackle these in their sessions.

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