Li Zhanshu (4th L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the 18th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, May 18, 2020. /Xinhua

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, met on Monday in Beijing to prepare for the upcoming NPC annual session. 

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over meetings of Monday's session. 

At the closing meeting, Li said the third session of the 13th NPC is an important gathering at a time when global COVID-19 pandemic remains grim and complex, while major strategic achievements have been made by China in curbing the coronavirus. 

To convene the session successfully will be of great significance to overcoming the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing a decisive victory in the fight against poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Li said. 

Li called for all-out efforts to accomplish various tasks of the annual session while adopting effective containment measures. 

The NPC annual session, after being postponed for more than two months due to COVID-19, will open on May 22. The 13th NPC has 2,957 deputies. 

Source: CGTN