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National People's Congress (NPC)

National People's Congress (NPC)
Latest news and updates about the National People's Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. It holds one full session annually to vote on new laws and amendments, and review government’s work and policies. The NPC has about 3,000 members who are elected for five-year terms.
Lunar New Year fireworks in Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tipped to be world’s top financial hub amid global yuan expansion plan

National People’s Congress deputy Li Yinquan says Hong Kong to gain substantially from Beijing’s push to internationalise yuan’s reach.

Science

China can’t buy Elon Musk’s theory on space-based AI centres: experts

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Two Sessions 2026

China’s top court says it treats AI cases with care without stifling innovation

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China-Asean relations

China extols Myanmar gang executions, pledging to protect citizens abroad

Chief of China’s top court highlights crackdown on Southeast Asia crime rings in annual ‘two sessions’ report.

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In recent months, China has announced the sentencing and executions of several core members of the Bai and Ming crime families of northern Myanmar. Photo: Handout
Two Sessions 2026

‘Two sessions’ 2026

China’s Premier Li Qiang lowered the annual GDP growth target to 4.5 to 5 per cent when he delivered the government work report at the “two sessions”, the country’s biggest annual political gathering.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong must keep pace with China’s development push

In the run-up to and during China’s ‘two sessions’, Beijing leaders have made it clear to the Hong Kong government that it must improve its governance and efficiency.

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China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

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The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters
Two Sessions 2026

Innovation plus livelihoods – the twin tracks of China’s 5-year plan

The country’s new economic blueprint targets hi-tech advances plus basic human needs such as nursing home beds.

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Two Sessions 2026

China’s last CMC general standing urges more ‘political rectification’ for PLA

Combat readiness and loyalty to Xi Jinping also highlighted in Central Military Commission vice-chairman’s remarks at ‘two sessions’.

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Two Sessions 2026

Chinese vice-premier stresses shared duty in Hong Kong’s executive-led governance

Ding Xuexiang calls the executive-led model vital for aligning the city with China’s five-year plan and national integration.

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang (centre) meets Hong Kong and Macau members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on Friday. He is joined by CPPCC vice-chairmen and former chief executives Leung Chun-ying of Hong Kong (left) and Edmund Ho Hau-wah of Macau. Photo: Matthew Cheng
Women and gender

Alarm sounded on mentally disabled women forced into marriage in rural China

CPPCC member Jiang Shengnan calls for crisis intervention centres and reporting hotlines as part of comprehensive prevention mechanism.

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Some parents may force their mentally unwell daughters into marriage for profit amid weak legal penalties for rights violations. Photo: Shutterstock
Two Sessions 2026

Editorial | Amid external uncertainties, China steers for growth and stability

Government work report pledges to continue doubling down on innovation and upgrading of manufacturing; Hong Kong featured prominently.

Two Sessions 2026

Opinion | China’s ‘two sessions’ show plans for resilience in a stormy world

Beijing signals it is prepared to recalibrate its development model rather than cling to the habits of the boom years.

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Two Sessions 2026

China’s growth target cut reflects pragmatism amid challenges

Premier Li Qiang announced China’s lowest annual growth target in more than three decades amid global trade tensions and weak domestic consumption.

Premier Li Qiang’s speech is shown on a huge TV screen in Beijing. Photo: SCMP
Two Sessions 2026

China vows to boost economy ahead of ‘two sessions’ and Trump visit

Beijing sees self-reliant tech growth as vital to innovation, spokesman for top legislature says, noting country will safeguard ‘red lines’.

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Lou Qinjian, spokesman for the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, addresses a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

What’s the one big thing missing from Beijing’s Taiwan deterrence strategy?

The country has military strength and political resolve but more work needs to be done on a third element, an NPC deputy says.

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Hong Kong economy

Beijing to roll out more measures for Hong Kong as John Lee praised for work

Central government will also make further arrangements in 15th five-year plan to support Hong Kong, National People’s Congress spokesman says.

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Hong Kong politics

Focus on development and cherish stability, Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director meets local delegates ahead of annual political gatherings in capital.

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The core message of the meeting was for delegates to “unite together and work together”, an attendee said. Photo: Handout
Corruption in China

Generals stripped of CPPCC roles as China’s corruption clean-up continues

The official dismissal confirms the fall of Han Weiguo, the PLA Central Theatre Command’s inaugural commander.

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Two Sessions 2026

Language as a weapon? PLA academics seek training overhaul, cite Ukraine war

Digitised battlefields demand new breed of soldier, as skilled at data analysis and psy-ops as at wielding a weapon, veteran instructor says.

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Hong Kong politics

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Delegates at the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Photo: AFP
China stock market

Investors lock onto NPC as markets seek policy lift amid AI jitters

With Chinese stocks drifting and global markets spooked by artificial intelligence fears, traders are eyeing the ‘two sessions’ for catalysts.

More than 2,000 delegates from across the nation will convene in Beijing for the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, scheduled to open on March 5. Photo: AP
Two Sessions 2026

‘Two sessions’, Trump tariffs, JD.com earnings

This week: Lawmakers ready for China’s ‘two sessions’, Trump imposes new global tariffs, Germany’s Merz meets Xi. Next week: JD.com reports earnings, toughened trade measures kick in, manufacturing PMI comes outs, Honor debuts robot, and more.

Two Sessions 2026

‘Two sessions’: China’s economic agenda

Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings, the South China Morning Post examines the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications.

Two Sessions 2026

China removes 9 military officials ahead of Beijing’s ‘two sessions’

Five full generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals among those taken off the list of deputies.

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Beijing is preparing to host the annual session of the National People’s Congress. Photo: Reuters
China stock market

China’s top court backs legal action against corrupt firms amid equity rally

The court’s initiative marks ‘a positive sign that the market would sustain its upward momentum’, hedge fund manager Zhou Ling says.

A statue of a bull is displayed outside the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters
Corruption in China

China expels defence officials from legislature amid corruption crackdown

Three senior executives removed from National People’s Congress without explanation could face disciplinary action or criminal charges.

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China’s private sector

China raises taxes on select sectors: a one-off fix or tough times ahead?

A broader push to raise taxes across the private sector is not on the cards, economists say.

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