China targets 8% GDP growth in 2009

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China's economic slowdown has put 20 million migrant workers out of work. Adding to the strain are some 7-and-a-half million college graduates entering the job market this year. Even with the government target to hold urban unemployment under 4.6 percent, it would be the highest since 1980.

Chairman Wu Bangguo presided over the session.

The country's nearly 3,000 lawmakers will review and vote on the government's economic and social development plans, as well as the 2009 budgets.

NPC deputy of Sichuan Hu Changsheng said, "I'm confident for the plan in 2009. I think the investment should be focused on the underdeveloped areas.”

NPC deputy of Shangdong Wen Fujiang said, "I think China has huge potential for domestic consumption. But the key is to improve the social security system.”

The NPC deputies meet here every year. They come from all walks of life and represent the range of ethnic groups.

One theme dominates Premiere Wen Jiabao’s work report this year. The most frequently used words are ‘economy, development, growth and control’. Most of the pages explain China’s economy and the policies to deal with the challenges. Whether China’s economy can achieve 8 percent GDP and bottom out of the slowdown will prove a real test for the government’s polices.

Editor:Liu Anqi