China opens National People's Congress – in pictures

A Chinese paramilitary policeman keeps watch above Tiananmen Square as the sun rises before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People Photograph: Andy Wong/AP

Stewardesses pose for photographs on Tiananmen Square outside the Great Hall of the People Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

Soldiers on Tiananmen Square Photograph: How Hwee Young/EPA

A stewardess dressed in an ethnic minority costume arranges her hat Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA

A military band conductor rehearses before the opening session Photograph: Ng Han Guan/AP

A policeman rides a Segway-style scooter outside the Great Hall of the People Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images

A delegate of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference reads a government report from Premier Wen Jiabao Photograph: Jason Lee/REUTERS

China's president, Hu Jintao, and other top leaders attend the opening ceremony Photograph: REUTERS

A security officer keeps watch inside the Great Hall of the People Photograph: Jason Lee/REUTERS

The opening ceremony in the Great Hall of the People Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

An ethnic minority delegate leaves the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after the opening session Photograph: Vincent Thian/AP