In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, attendees exchange mobile phones to take photos near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. China's ceremonial parliament and its official advisory body traditionally hold their annual sessions at Beijing's Great Hall of the People during the first two weeks of March, a time when the Chinese capital is finally emerging from the long winter freeze. This year's gatherings were blessed by unusually clear weather, with little of the choking smog that so often grips the city, and the resulting sunshine cast heavy black shadows of the building and people on the surrounding plaza. The sessions draw a veritable army of attendants, from the sentinels who guard the hall year round, to the special police, K9 units and firefighters brought in to prevent and contain any threats to the safety of participants. Also a lively presence are the young, mostly female ushers who make sure the participants find their seats and the leaders always have a steaming cup of tea ready by their elbow. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, police sniffer dogs wait for deployment near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, a hospitality staff member pose for photos near the shadow of a tall light pole near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, attendees react as they walk towards the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Sunday, March 12, 2017, hospitality staff wearing ethnic minority costumes pose for photos near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Thursday, March 9, 2017, fire fighters march in front of the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is held in Beijing. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, Chinese military officers file into near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





Hospitality staff hold signs to guide delegates as they leave following a plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, March 9, 2017. China's top leadership as well as thousands of delegates from around the country are gathered at the Chinese capital for the annual legislature meetings. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Thursday, March 9, 2017, a security personnel wearing white gloves guide participants arriving for a plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, a participant arrives near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, a staff member checks his watch as he waits near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, attendees take photos of a police motorized platform deployed near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Thursday, March 9, 2017, a participant leaves after a plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Sunday, March 12, 2017, hospitality staff members pose for a selfie near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)





In this photo taken Sunday, March 12, 2017, participants arrive near the Great Hall of the People where a plenary session of the National People's Congress is held in Beijing, China. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)