BEIJING, March 5, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Dejiang (2nd L, back), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), joins a group deliberation of deputies from Zhejiang Province to the annual session of the NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING -- Senior Chinese leaders stressed the Party's leadership and championed the "four consciousnesses" when joining lawmakers' discussions Saturday, the first day of the annual parliamentary session.

China should unwaveringly uphold the leadership of Communist Party of China (CPC) if it aims to realize stable and sustainable development, said Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, when joining fellow lawmakers from east China's Zhejiang Province in a panel discussion on the government work report.

He underscored the "consciousnesses of the ideology, the whole, the core and the line."

The concept of the four consciousnesses was raised earlier this year at a high-level meeting of the CPC Central Committee.

Everyone should conform to the ideology and action of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as general secretary, he said.

The country should pool its strength and "unify the will and pace concerning the choice of path, direction and targets," Zhang said.

"We should be fully confident in the future," he said.

Such confidence comes from the notable achievements of the past three decades, the advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics and especially the strong leadership of the current CPC Central Committee, he said.

China's development will maintain momentum if the focus is kept in the right direction, he said.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, also spoke about the four consciousnesses when joining a delegation of lawmakers from Hubei Province during another discussion.

The Party is key to realizing the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Yu said.

CPC members should strictly follow the Part's code of conduct and safeguard the authority of the leadership and the unity of the Party, he said.

Yu said the government work report, delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to national lawmakers, embodied the nation's concepts of innovative, coordinated, green, opening up and shared development.

He urged Hubei, a province along the Yangtze River, to integrate structural reforms with the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and stick to green development and ecological protection.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, joined NPC deputies from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in their panel discussion.

Stressing that development is China's top priority, the senior Party leader called on local authorities to focus more on development quality and efficiency.

They should forge ahead in promoting the supply-side structural reform, Liu said.

He also urged Party members to study speeches given by Xi and improve their ability to promoting economic growth.

In the report delivered Saturday morning, Premier Li also underscored the importance of maintaining political integrity, being aware of the bigger picture, following the CPC as the core of the Chinese leadership and acting in accordance with CPC Central Committee policies.