Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders on Wednesday joined lawmakers in panel discussions of the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao.

When talking to deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) from the southwestern province of Yunnan, Hu called for the province's further development by taking advantage of the country's greater efforts in implementing the Strategy to Develop Western China, as well as building the province into a bridgehead for China's opening-up southwestward.

President Hu Jintao greets female deputies from Yunnan province to the National People's Congress on March 7, 2012, a day before International Woman's Day. Hu and other senior leaders joined lawmakers in panel disscussions on the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hu said drought relief and securing people's livelihoods must be the focus of the province's work at present, adding that the impact of the disaster should be limited as much as possible.

Since December 2011, persistent drought in Yunnan has left 3.19 million local people and 1.58 million livestock short of drinking water, according to the provincial government.

Hu also urged lawmakers from Yunnan to promote unity among ethnic groups in a bid to achieve mutual prosperity.