A press conference held by the National People's Congress is underway in Beijing, China, on March 4, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A spokesman for China's national legislature highlighted openness and cooperation as correct choices for exploring the frontiers of science and furthering sci-tech progress, saying that the nation's self-reliance drive does not mean Beijing will close its doors in its research and development.

Lou Qinjian, spokesman for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), told a news conference on Monday that China will remain committed to participating in the global innovation network, jointly advancing basic research and promoting the transformation of scientific and technological outcomes.

He warned that engaging in practices of "decoupling" or "building a small yard with high walls" will only hinder global technological progress, damage global industrial development, and widen the global development gap.

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Lou gave the example of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System, which was developed after China's cooperation with relevant countries and region to launch a similar navigation system stalled.

He said the Beidou system, developed through 30 years of relentless effort and hard work, has been widely used globally, empowering various industries and becoming a cornerstone of economic and social development.

"This example fully demonstrates that as long as we insist on self-reliance and self-improvement, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome," he said.

Lou Qinjian, spokesman for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, speaks during a press conference in Beijing, on March 4, 2024, ahead of the NPC's annual session. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

During the press conference, the latest agenda of the second session of the 14th NPC was also unveiled.

Lou said the preparatory meeting of the annual session, which will kick off on Tuesday and conclude on March 11, adopted the agenda on Monday.

NPC deputies will also deliberate the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate 

The agenda includes deliberating the report on the work of the government, reviewing the report on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024.

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National legislators will review the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, as well as the draft central and local budgets for 2024, Lou said.

They will also deliberate the bill put forward by the NPC Standing Committee on reviewing the draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council, Lou said.

NPC deputies will also deliberate the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, he added.