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What to expect from China’s two sessions
Thousands of delegates will set foot in Beijing to attend a two-week event commonly known as the 'two sessions'.
The two sessions is an event where both the National Congress (NPC), which is the legislative body, and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is the advisory body, hold their annual meeting to discuss matters of national importance.
This will be the first uninterrupted two session event ever since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted last year (2022) in December.
The 2020 session was delayed for several months, while the 2021 and 2022 meetings ran for just a week instead of the usual two. This year’s two sessions are an opportunity for China to stir up new policy directions for the Chinese government for the next year.
While speaking at a press conference, Guo Weimin, the spokesperson for the first session of the 14th CPPCC, stated that the advisory body is expected to discuss and deliberate both on the works of the standing committee, and the proposals from political advisors.
In addition, during the first session, there will be elections for the chairman, vice chairman, secretary general, and standing members of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC.
The 14th CPPCC National Committee's inaugural session political resolution as well as a revision to the CPPCC charter will be discussed and approved during the session.
During the two-week event, the NPC is also expected to review the draft report of the national economic and social development plan of China as well as elect members of various state institutions.
The 2021 two sessions were more concerned with law-based governance, anticorruption, rural-based revitalization, better housing for the Chinese people, and digital lifestyles.
This year’s two sessions, however, will focus more on governance, diplomacy, common prosperity, ecological conservation and green development, technology and innovation, and the economy, where discussions are expected to centre around more on job creation and increasing the purchasing power of the people of China.
The event will be an opportunity for the international community to look into China’s development and witness how China’s democracy works.
Over 2997 deputies from 35 electoral units across the country are expected to attend the event.
Among the elected deputies is Xu Fengcan, China's first female Z-20 pilot. She is one of the first female pilots to be trained by China’s Ground Force.
In general, the two sessions, especially the NPC session, will serve as an avenue to review government reports and discuss government plan for the future of China.
Source: New Vision