Photo by: Zuzana Košková, European Values
What is happening?
Between March 4 and 11, China’s political elites convene in Beijing for the annual “Two Sessions” of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as Lianghui 兩會. The carefully choreographed simultaneous sessions of China’s “rubber-stamp” parliament and a top advisory body unveil official economic targets, approve new legislation, announce the military budget, and confirm new government leadership appointments.
Both domestic and international media closely observe these events every year, providing a glimpse into the Chinese government’s policy priorities and the future direction of the country’s development.
What is the broader picture?
The National People Congress (NPC), China’s legislature, comprises nearly 3,000 delegates representing China’s provinces, autonomous regions, centrally-administered municipalities, the armed forces, and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. It is an orchestrated gathering that formally approves pre-prepared legislation. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convenes 2,172 delegates from various sectors—including business representatives and even celebrities like Jackie Chan (成龍)—and serves as an advisory body. While it can propose “suggestions” (建議) related to social issues, it lacks legislative power. These suggestions often become popular topics of discussion in the Chinese social media space.
On March 5, Premier Li Qiang (李强) delivered the Government Work Report, reviewing the past year and setting concrete targets for 2025, including GDP growth of around 5%, a surveyed urban unemployment rate of approximately 5.5%, goals for job creation in urban areas, maintaining consumer price index (CPI) increase within approximately 2%, stimulating growth in personal income, balance of payments, ensuring grain output of about 700 million metric tons, achieving a 3% reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP, and continued work in environmental protection. Indeed, Li sought to proclaim China’s prosperity.
Yet, negating economic nihilism was equally high on the agenda. This year’s main topics include efforts to boost China’s struggling economy with policies aimed at increasing domestic spending, addressing youth unemployment, advancing science, and bolstering research and development capacity. Military spending will continue to rise, with the 2025 defense budget increasing by 7.2% to 1.78 trillion yuan ($245 billion). Opportunities and challenges to China’s economic policymaking are not exclusively internal, as a matter of course. With Donald J. Trump back in the White House, looming tariffs and the prospect of further economic escalation remain key concerns for policymakers in Beijing.
This year, the NPC session has been scheduled for only six days, continuing a trend of shorter meetings. Additionally, the premier’s press conference has been canceled for the second consecutive year.
Why does it matter?
The lianghui is a key event on the political calendar in Beijing. In the past, significant political changes have been announced or alluded to at during these sessions. For instance, Xi Jinping’s unprecedented third term as leader was sealed at the 2023 Lianghui. Three years earlier, the Two Sessions witnessed the introduction of the controversial National Security Law, now enforced in Hong Kong.
Despite the tightly scripted nature of the Two Sessions, unexpected incidents sometimes occur. In 2022, former President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) was unexpectedly removed from the meeting in front of cameras, sparking global speculation. The same year, Peng Lifa’s (彭立發) protest on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge gained international attention. Peng, who remains detained, hung banners criticizing the government and Xi Jinping (習近平) himself.
Last year, for the first time in lianghui history, the premier’s press conference—an event of significant interest to foreign media—was canceled without explanation. This year, authorities have confirmed that the press conference will not occur again, further limiting access for international journalists.
