At the ongoing National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, the chairman of the Standing Committee, Zhang Deijiang, said that Jilin province needs to adjust to the "new normal" in the economy while rejuvenating its old areas with new ideas.

The top legislator talked to Jilin delegates at a meeting on the annual budget report, on the side of the annual session, on March 9.

Zhang Dejiang, NPC Standing Committee chairman, with female Jilin delegates after a panel discussion, in Beijing on March 8, International Women's Day. [Photo by Song Kai/chinajilin.com.cn]

The province's GDP growth last year was 6.5 percent, or slightly below the national figure of 6.9 percent, so Zhang encouraged the delegates to cut excess or useless capacity and maked optimal use of the province's industrial structure and urged its government to find ways to give the economy new force and provide a good environment for the private sector.

One of the delegates, Jiang Chaoliang, who is also the provincial governor, told the meeting that there's no need to worry about jobs during the economic restructuring because the government has a plan of action for re-employment or retirement, and confirmed this by noting that the government knows it needs to deal with outstanding livelihood issues.

The Jilin deputies also gave their opinions on the industrial upgrades, as well as education and innovation.

Zhang also joined a group of female delegates from Jilin for a group photo after the meeting, to honor International Women's Day, on Tuesday.