The first session of the 10th National People's Congress, opening March 5, concludes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 18, 2003. Newly elected President Hu Jintao pledged at the closing ceremony that he would faithfully perform the powers and functions endowed by the Constitution, scrupulously discharge his duties, word hard and industriously and serve the country and the people with utmost sincerity. [xinhua]