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The ‘two sessions’: what to watch for during China’s biggest political event of the year
- Thousands of political elite and lawmakers will attend meetings of the top political advisory body and legislature
- Premier’s work report, foreign minister’s press conference and president’s speech will be closely watched
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Hayley Wongin Beijing
China’s political elite and lawmakers will descend on the capital next week for the annual “two sessions”, or lianghui.
The meetings of the top political advisory body and legislature have traditionally been an occasion to preview the government’s policy agenda for the year ahead.
At a time of economic headwinds and political uncertainty, the focus this year is expected to be on how Beijing interprets and plans to address issues like the rapidly ageing population and deflationary risks.
It begins on Monday, when more than 2,000 members of the CPPCC – the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – will gather in Beijing to hear the annual work report of the advisory body.
The first day of the legislative session on Tuesday will get more attention, when Premier Li Qiang will deliver his maiden government work report in front of nearly 3,000 National People’s Congress deputies.
Li will outline how the economy has performed in the past year, including the closely watched GDP growth rate, and set out the new growth target, policy agenda and budgets for the year ahead.
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