People's Daily, one of China's leading newspapers, carries on Sunday an editorial which hails the opening of the Fourth Session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, as another opportunity for the whole country to unite and march forward from a new starting point.

During the session, NPC deputies will deliberate reports on the work of the government, the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, it said.

A major job of the lawmakers is to examine and approve the Guidelines for the Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2006-2010), along with a report on the implementation of the 2005 development plan and the 2006 development plan.

They will also examine a report on the implementation of the 2005 budget and the draft budget for 2006 before giving approval, according to sources with the preparatory meeting.

The Eleventh Five-Year period is critical both for China's reform and opening practice and the full implementation of the scientific view of development and the promotion of China's economy and society on a scientific development track, it said.

The Development Plan for the period is of great significance for China's social and economic development in the following five years and the ongoing national process of build a well-off society, it said.

In addition, the paper said, China's development should adhere to the principles of governing for the people, by the people and the fruits of development should be shared by the people.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2006)