Annual session of Ningbo People's Congress commences

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, delivers the 2018 work report of the government at the fourth session of the 15th People's Congress of Ningbo on Feb 13. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The fourth session of the 15th People's Congress of Ningbo commenced in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on the morning of Feb 13 with a total of 472 deputies in attendance.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, delivered the 2018 work report of the government at the plenary, saying that over the past year the city has made stable and healthy progress in its economic and social development with some breakthroughs in important fields.

He remarked that in 2018, Ningbo recorded a GDP of 1.07 trillion yuan ($159.13 billion), a year-on-year increase of 7 percent, becoming the 15th city to join the nation's "1 trillion yuan club".

In the work report, Qiu also established goals for this year. The governor emphasized the importance of seeking improvements while maintaining stability, promoting high-quality development and deepening the supply-side reform.

He stated that there are 10 main tasks for the government in 2019, including developing the manufacturing sector, increasing spending on science and technology, strengthening domestic and international cooperation, and optimizing public services.

At the end of the speech, Qiu urged all parties to strive to perform better in the city's development over the following year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.