BEIJING, March 18, 2008 -- People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is to carry an editorial on Wednesday hailing the successful conclusion of an annual session of China's top legislature.

The two-week First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), which closed here Tuesday, has "roundly completed all its procedures and successfully accomplished its significant mission," says the editorial.

Nearly 3,000 deputies from all over the country attended the annual parliament session during March 5-18. They endorsed the report of government work, along with other important reports, and set forth the major tasks and work plans for this year, the editorial says.

The session also adopted a government reshuffle plan, endorsed the new leadership of the country, and approved a new NPC Standing Committee and line-up of ministers of the State Council, it says.

"The important achievements of the session will certainly exert a far-reaching impact on further advancing the cause of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and accelerating socialist modernization," it says.

Unwaveringly developing socialist democracy forms an important part of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the editorial says, noting that the People's Congress system is the best way to make the Chinese people true masters of their own country. Thus the system must be adhered to and further improved so as to expand people's democracy, it says.

The next five years enter a pivotal period for building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, which sets higher requirements for strengthening and improving the work of the People's Congress, the editorial says. It urges the Congress to improve work efficiency and enhance its capacity of fulfilling its duty in accordance with the law.