The first of China’s “two sessions” opened in a solemn mood on Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic hung over the country’s annual political gathering.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – delayed for two months due to the outbreak – began with President Xi Jinping, the 25-strong Politburo and more than 2,000 delegates observing a minute’s silence for the Chinese who have lost their lives to the disease.
Most wore face masks, except for Politburo members like Xi and Premier Li Keqiang and senior CPPCC members.
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The annual meetings of the CPPCC and the National People’s Congress (NPC), known as the “two sessions”, are mostly rubber stamp affairs which Beijing uses to make public its yearly economic agenda, growth targets and national budget.
President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang arrive for the CPPCC. Photo: Reuters
Wang Yang, head of the political advisory body’s committee, delivered a work report that was shorter than previous years. Beijing would strengthen the sense of “political responsibility” among Hong Kong members of the CPPCC, said Wang, the fourth most senior official in the Communist Party.
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“We will help [CPPCC] National Committee members representing Hong Kong and Macau build a stronger sense of mission and political responsibility, and firmly support the improvement of systems and mechanisms for enforcing China’s constitution and the Basic Law of the two [cities],” he said.
