The upcoming annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) will help China weather through the financial crisis and maintain economic development in 2009, the People's Daily said in an editorial to be published Thursday.

Nearly 3,000 lawmakers, or NPC deputies, from all corners of China, are set to meet in the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing on Thursday. The session will last for nine days.

The editorial said the session would focus on how to cope with the global financial crisis and maintain a steady and relatively fast economic growth.

The NPC session would fully motivate the Chinese people to attain the triple goals of maintaining economic growth, protecting people's livelihood and safeguarding stability, the editorial said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2009)