China's top legislature head absent at final session of parliament

BEIJING, March 11 (Reuters) - A Chinese lawmaker unexpectedly declared the open of a parliamentary session in Beijing on Tuesday instead of its chairman, Zhao Leji, who was absent among the senior Communist Party leaders seated in the Great Hall of the People.

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, announced the start of a parliamentary session in the afternoon, with Zhao, the ruling party's third-ranked leader, absent on the rostrum in the hall's main auditorium.

This year's parliament, attended by more than 2,000 delegates, is due to conclude on Tuesday.