TOPIC

National People's Congress (NPC)

National People's Congress (NPC)
Latest news and updates about the National People's Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. It holds one full session annually to vote on new laws and amendments, and review government’s work and policies. The NPC has about 3,000 members who are elected for five-year terms.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
China-South Korea relations

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

In meeting with visiting South Korean president, Chinese premier calls for cooperation in AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing.

videocam
5
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Starry Lee or Ronick Chan? Lawmakers’ choice will reveal their priorities

Corruption in China

China’s anti-corruption campaign claims 3 more top military officers

8
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s Starry Lee seeks to unite lawmakers, but quiet about Legco presidency

Asked if she plans to run for position, Lee says her roles as a delegate to China’s top legislative body and at Legco do not conflict.

Lawmaker Starry Lee is Hong Kong’s sole delegate in the standing committee of the National People’s Congress. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s role to be discussed in China’s top legislature annual session

Sole delegate to National People’s Congress Starry Lee expects the city’s role in finance, trade, and innovation to be discussed in 15th five-year plan.

China-New Zealand relations

7 Chinese warships followed our navy vessel in East Asia, New Zealand says

Wellington says ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

videocam
17
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Law

China’s move to seal records of offences like drug use sparks public backlash

New rule takes effect on January 1 and means the offences will no longer be attached to a person’s identity information.

videocam
Minor offences covered by the new regulation include drug use, soliciting prostitutes and minor brawls. They typically result in fines and up to 15 days of administrative detention. Photo: Shutterstock
Legislative Council election 2025

Hopefuls spar over livelihood issues, upping ante at Hong Kong Legco poll forums

In a shift of tempo, the host at the two forums reminds candidates that they can express different opinions during debates.

China’s private sector

From rail to nuclear power, China taps private capital to fund major projects

Beijing unveils a slew of new measures to channel private investment into infrastructure projects ranging from hydropower to oil pipelines.

videocam
Legislative Council election 2025

Fewer registered professionals, more councillors contesting Hong Kong Legco poll

Post check of declared occupations found that 28 per cent of candidates are professionals, a 10 percentage point decrease over the last poll.

The Legislative Council election nomination period closed on Thursday. Photo: Jelly Tse
China-EU relations

Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Second-in-command Hsiao Bi-khim addresses unofficial conference of lawmakers, prompting ‘indignation’ from Beijing.

videocam
100
The EU has a one-China policy through which it maintains business and cultural ties with Taiwan but does not recognise it as a sovereign state. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | 30% of 161 Hong Kong Legco election candidates linked to mainland Chinese firms

Higher proportion marks significant increase from 2021 poll and reflects growing prominence of mainland capital in Hong Kong’s economy.

14
Corruption in China

China expels former aerospace boss and military auditor from top legislature

Xu Dazhe, former vice-minister and space programme director, and Sun Bin, who was CMC auditor, have been removed from NPC duties.

videocam
Taiwan

Beijing sets October 25 as day to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration

National People’s Congress Standing Committee says designation strengthens ‘international community’s commitment to the one-China principle’.

This year is the 80th anniversary of the surrender of the Japanese forces in Taiwan. Photo: Elson Li
China’s fourth plenum

Editorial | 5-year plan offers hope of stability amid global uncertainty

‘Peaceful’ role for Hong Kong as blueprint charts China’s future through high-quality development, technological self-reliance, innovation.

Beijing hosts the fourth plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from 20 October to 23 October. Photo: EPA
China’s Communist Party

Zhang Shengmin promoted to vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission

Communique of fourth plenary session of Central Committee declares Zhang Fengzhong, of the PLA Rocket Force, is under a corruption probe.

videocam
Cybersecurity

China moves to strengthen regulation of AI safety and ethics

China’s Cybersecurity Law will be amended to address new tech challenges and illegal activities, top legislative body says.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China-EU relations

Brussels and Beijing lawmakers spar over Russia, Taiwan in first talks since 2018

Chinese delegation defends Moscow and questions Nato as EU warns ties hinge on Beijing’s stance over Ukraine.

videocam
4
Meeting between the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the People’s Republic of China and the 42nd China-EU IPM Delegation of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday in Brussels. Photo: handout
China economy

Editorial | As China drafts another five-year plan, it must brace for challenges

Amid domestic and global headwinds, national development won’t be easy. Hong Kong can help serve Beijing’s development goals.

Xi Jinping

Xi renews warning against Taiwan independence in National Day address

Xi Jinping pledges to ‘practice true multilateralism’ and urges protection of national sovereignty.

videocam
16
US-China relations

US delegation’s ‘ice-breaking’ China visit hints at thaw in relations

Foreign ministry describes talks with US bipartisan group of lawmakers as ‘candid, in-depth’ exchange of views.

videocam
9
US Representative Adam Smith (left) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he leads a bipartisan group of US lawmakers for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Wang called on Washington to treasure the current “stabilising trend” in bilateral relations while upholding its “political commitments” regarding Taiwan. Photo: EPA/POOL
SCMP Highlights

Chinese defence minister’s speech, US Fed cuts rates: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun looks on during Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU, China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16

Sources say invitations will be sent to Beijing imminently, with date and agenda still to be confirmed.

videocam
4
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China expels 4 generals from legislature as anti-corruption push rolls through PLA

People’s Armed Police commander Wang Chunning the most senior of the group to lose his role as a lawmaker.

videocam
Banking & finance

‘Urgent revisions’ mulled for China’s bankruptcy law, with shortcomings in mind

Move could help clear economic bottlenecks and eliminate ‘zombie enterprises’, while better protecting the rights of stakeholders, economic law professor says.

videocam
Draft amendments to China’s Enterprise Bankruptcy Law are now being reviewed. Image: Shutterstock
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Lawmakers can learn from CY Leung’s constructive criticism of government

It is in the public’s best interests for legislators to hold officials to account rather than constantly present a united front.

videocam
8
Chief Executive John Lee is seen on a big screen during a question and answer session in the Legislative Council chamber in Admiralty on May 29. Photo: Dickson Lee
China-EU relations

Exclusive | China lifts its sanctions on retired EU lawmaker Reinhard Buetikofer

The move is seen to lead to new engagement between European Parliament and China’s National People’s Congress, which have not met since 2018.

12
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers slam proposal to recognise same-sex partnerships

Proposal to introduce new registration mechanism through legislation sparks rare fiery exchange between lawmakers and officials.

19
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement