By Peter Catterall
Thousands of representatives from all over China will gather in Beijing next week for the start of the country’s yearly legislative meetings known as the “Two Sessions”.
The strictly controlled voting on laws already approved by the ruling Communist Party means there will be no major changes.
But the meetings do provide an uncommon look into the top leadership’s priorities, with analysts watching for support measures for China’s ailing economy and an expected increase in defense spending Here’s what you need to know:.
The first one, set to start Monday, is a gathering of China’s political advisory committee, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
What are the ‘Two Sessions’?
The group’s members — which have included many of China’s most famous celebrities, such as Yao Ming and Jackie Chan — receive a lot of attention at home.
But its discussions are relatively low stakes: representatives provide lawmakers with policy suggestions that, more often than not, have little impact on national policy.
Former professional player and basketball executive Yao Ming stands beside Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee at Government House on February 26, 2023. Photo: GovHK.
![China's national basketball team](https://www.sinatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/upload.jpg)
Two-thirds of the legislature’s members come from the Communist Party.
And most of the bills that will be passed have already been decided by party leaders well in advance, leading to it being described as a “rubber-stamp” parliament.
How important is it?
China goes to great lengths to ensure there are no embarrassing incidents during the parliamentary session, which is promoted by the Communist Party as evidence that it responds to the people despite its monopoly on power.
The meeting place in the Great Hall of the People is freshened up, traffic is shut down, factories are closed to guarantee blue skies, plainclothes policemen seem to lurk on every corner and political dissidents are rounded up and asked — or sometimes forced — to go on “vacation” somewhere far away from the capital.
The ceiling of the Great Hall of the People. Photo: Katie Kellert,
Every five years, the parliamentary session also sees the appointment of the president — last year,
Xi Jinping began his third term in the position , complementing two top Communist Party positions he secured at a congress in 2022.This year’s “Two Sessions” will also feature the first annual government work report presented by
Premier Li Qiang since he ascended to the country’s number-two position at last year’s meeting. What are the major issues?
The economy,
plagued by slumping consumer activity prolonged crisis in the property sector and a , will be the most closely-watched topic at this year’s gathering.China’s Yangshan Port. Photo: Wikicommons.
reported national GDP growth of 5.2 percent last year — the lowest rate in decades, excluding the pandemic years. The information about military spending will provide indications of
China’s confidence in current geopolitical conditions , as tensions persist across the Taiwan Strait and Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its third year.Observers will also closely evaluate any plans announced on the allocation of public resources into the tech sectors or major infrastructure development projects.
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: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.By Peter Catterall Thousands of delegates from across China will convene in Beijing next week for the start of the country’s annual legislative meetings known as the “Two Sessions”. The tightly controlled voting on legislation already pre-approved by the ruling Communist Party means there will be no major changes. But the meetings do provide a […]