BEIJING — The 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, will start its second annual session on March 5, an official statement said Feb 1.

The 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s national political advisory body, will begin its second annual session on March 3.

A press center for the two sessions will open on Feb 27, said the statement jointly issued by the general offices of the NPC Standing Committee and the CPPCC National Committee.

“We welcome journalists at home and abroad to report the two sessions,” the statement said.

Chinese and foreign journalists should submit applications for passes to the press center, while foreign reporters temporarily in China for the two sessions should apply to Chinese embassies or visa organizations authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reporters from Hong Kong and Macao should apply at the central government’s liaison offices in the two special administrative regions. Reporters from Taiwan should apply to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The deadline for applications is Feb 25.

More information is available on the NPC and CPPCC websites.