Xi Jinping started his presidency promising to deliver a "Chinese dream" of national rejuvenation.

Sitting among three deputies wearing hats from three different ethnic groups, Nurgul Kerim scribbled on a notepad, and in a low voice translated every sentence into the Uygur language during a group discussion by the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region delegation of the National People's Congress on Thursday morning.

Deputies attending first congress ready for challenge to live up to people's expectations, report Zhao Yinan and Cui Jia in Beijing.

Regulations to ensure that pilot projects stay within their allotted timeframe, achieve designated goals and remain within the law, are being considered, according to a source who requested anonymity.