The third annual session of the 14th National People's Congress concluded yesterday in Beijing, where nearly 3,000 delegates passed a number of draft resolutions. And as the annual political meetings wrapped up, an entrepreneur told RTHK that confidence was high after President Xi Jinping gave assurances to the nation's private enterprises that they would play a key role in the nation's development. Vanessa Cheng has more from the capital:

A senior member of a leading national think tank says the annual Two Sessions demonstrated China's focus on the economy and innovation. Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, says the week-long meetings highlighted the SAR's role in helping Beijing develop connections around the world, beyond Western countries. Lau spoke to Kelly Yu:

During the Two Sessions, Premier Li Qiang set a five percent growth target and vowed more support for private enterprises. Alicia Garc?a-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at the investment bank Natixis, told Carol Musgrave the main takeaways from the meeting were that China was ready to handle the new round of US tariffs and it was investing in the future with its emphasis on artificial intelligence development:

A local deputy to the National People¡¦s Congress says Hong Kong has been making good progress in the lead-up to November¡¦s National Games, which it will co-host with Macau and Guangdong. Herman Hu, who's a former vice-president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, urged authorities to better promote the events that will be staged locally. Hu spoke to Frank Yung on the sidelines of the Two Sessions in Beijing:

A catering sector representative has expressed concern that restaurants may have to pay higher fees for using delivery platforms. And as Elvis Yu reports, a marketing professor says the delivery market in Hong Kong is saturated.

A mainland man has been given a three-month prison sentence, after he pleaded guilty to using fake academic qualifications to gain a spot in a prestigious Chinese University postgraduate programme. Damon Pang reports:

Social worker Jackie Chen has been convicted of rioting in Wan Chai during the 2019 protests, following a retrial. She will be sentenced next month. Elvis Yu has more:

The judiciary says it will start webcasting some proceedings at Hong Kong's top court from April 1, as part of a pilot scheme. But as Damon Pang reports, certain types of Court of Final Appeal hearings will not feature in the two-year scheme.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says there are no plans in the near term to conduct a comprehensive review of the city's tax system. As Chloe Feng reports, the government also expects a windfall as stock market turnover rises.

Organ donation rates are still low in Hong Kong, mainly because of deficiencies in the SAR's medical system, and people clinging to traditional values. That's according to the Medical Association and the Transplant Sports Association. Chau Ka-foon, who heads the Transplant Sports Association, spoke to Charlie Chun:

Talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukraine and the US have ended in an agreement from Kyiv on a 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia, with America agreeing to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with the Ukrainians. Both countries have hailed the talks as positive. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says ¡§the ball is in the Russians¡¦ court.¡¨ Jamie Clarke reports:

Qatar and Jordan say that Israel is aiming to ¡§impose starvation¡¨ on Gaza by tightening its siege, and cutting the only remaining power line to the Gaza Strip. Germany and the UK have joined the chorus urging Israel to lift the aid block of the enclave. Azam Khan reports:

Pakistani insurgents have attacked a passenger train carrying several hundred passengers and have taken a number of hostages. The attackers have threatened to kill the hostages if their demands are not met. Pakistani police say at least three people, including the train driver, were injured. Jamie Clarke has more:

The new leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Mark Carney, who's set to become the next prime minister, says he wants to "rebuild" diplomatic ties with India. Relations between India and Canada plummeted to an all-time low after then prime minister Justin Trudeau, in September 2023, alleged New Delhi was directly involved in the killing of a Khalistani seperatist on Canadian soil, leading to both countries expelling each other's top diplomats. RTHK's South Asian correspondent, Murali Krishnan, told Azam Khan that Carney's approach toward India will likely blend economic pragmatism and diplomatic finesse to thaw the deep freeze:

Japan marked 14 years since the massive earthquake and tsunami that left more than 20,000 people dead or missing. A moment of silence was held across public spaces yesterday to mark the occasion. The devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster, have profoundly changed the lives of residents. Jamie Clarke reports:

A towering balloon that's nearly 20 metres long depicting celebrity Kim Kardashian has recently made its appearance in Times Square in New York City. As Jacqueline Guico reports, it's been met with mixed reactions.