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What is happening
Every March, China’s most important political gathering — the so-called lianghui (Two Sessions) — takes place in Beijing. The meetings bring to the capital delegates of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC). This year’s sessions run from March 5 to March 12. During the Two Sessions, the Government Work Report is presented, the annual GDP growth target is announced, and changes in political positions may be revealed.
What is different this year, and why do the sessions remain politically important despite their largely ceremonial nature?
What is the broader picture?
With more than 2,000 members, the CPPCC is a consultative body advising the government. It includes prominent celebrities, business leaders, and representatives from various sectors of society, but it has no legislative power.
The NPC, which is often described as a “rubber-stamp parliament,” has nearly 3,000 delegates and meets once a year to formally approve legislation that has already been prepared by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The role of the body is largely ceremonial: Delegates review reports and approve legislation that has already been prepared by the Party leadership. In practice, the NPC has never rejected any of the legislation proposed.
This year differs from previous ones because delegates are expected to approve the 15th Five-Year Plan, the key economic planning document covering the period 2026 to 2030. The plan will set policy priorities for the coming years, including boosting domestic demand and advancing key technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and nuclear fusion.
On the opening day, Premier Li Qiang delivered the Government Work Report (政府工作报告). He announced a GDP growth target of around 5%, with an expected range of 4.5 to 5 % — one of the lowest growth targets in decades. This reflects Beijing’s recognition of both global geopolitical tensions and domestic economic pressures.
Defense spending will grow by 7% this year. Although slightly lower than last year’s 7.9% increase, the figure still reflects Beijing’s continued focus on strengthening military capabilities. In his address, Li Qiang emphasized that improving combat readiness and strategic capabilities remains a priority.
Employment remains a top concern for Chinese leaders. The official unemployment target remains unchanged, as does the goal of creating approximately 12.7 million new urban jobs. At the same time, the government highlighted advances in innovation and technology, which must be understood in the broader context of U.S.–China technological competition. The emphasis is clearly on strengthening China’s technological self-sufficiency, particularly in areas such as AI, biomedicine, robotics, quantum technology, and semiconductor research and development.
Among the pieces of legislation discussed during the sessions are the new Ecological and Environmental Code (生态环境法典) and the Ethnic Unity law (民族团结进步促进法). The latter aims to strengthen the “sense of community of the Chinese nation,” promote the use of the national language (Putonghua), and further “integrate” ethnic minorities. In practice, critics argue that the law could accelerate the sinicization of minority populations, particularly in regions such as Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.
Amid the ongoing purges within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Xi Jinping’s continued consolidation of power, it is also important to observe who is absent from the meetings. Nineteen officials were removed from the list of lawmakers ahead of the event, with nine PLA representatives notably among them.
The schedule of the Two Sessions is packed with meetings, working groups, discussions, and votes on legislation, alongside numerous official briefings. Observers hoping for a revival of the prime minister’s press conference are likely to be disappointed, as there is no indication it will be restored after it was discontinued three years ago.
Why does it matter?
Despite being a highly orchestrated and choreographed event, the Two Sessions remain an important signal of China’s policy direction. This year is particularly significant because the 15th Five-Year Plan will outline the country’s economic and strategic priorities for the second half of the decade.
For Western observers, the sessions may offer decreasing informational value, as transparency has declined in recent years and opportunities to engage directly with legislators have all but disappeared. Yet, even if concrete legislative surprises are rare, the event is still worth following for its narrative messaging: It communicates the leadership’s priorities, signals economic and technological intentions, and demonstrates the party-state’s consolidation of authority. In short, the Two Sessions provide both a policy and political barometer, reflecting how Beijing wishes to project stability, control, and strategic direction domestically and internationally.