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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.
Workers grind a pipe on an offshore oil and gas platform in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China GDP

Exclusive | China to set GDP growth range, providing policy flexibility in 2026: sources

Establishing a range for the official growth target, to be revealed in March, would suggest tolerance for some deceleration amid challenges.

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Hong Kong politics

John Lee calls Hong Kong’s CPPCC delegates a ‘steadfast patriotic force’

Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council president must strike the right balance

Robotics

Chinese firms, led by AgiBot, outpace US rivals in 2025 humanoid robot shipments

‘Chinese vendors are setting benchmarks in large-scale production,’ Omdia analyst Lian Jye Su says.

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Global humanoid robot shipments reached 13,318 units in 2025, led by Chinese manufacturers. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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Hong Kong politics

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

How legislators vote will show how they see their roles and whether they prioritise national and city interests above personal political gain.

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Corruption in China

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

Two generals and an admiral have been expelled from the national legislature after noticeable absences in recent months.

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Wang Renhua was elevated to the highest rank for officers in active service in March, 2024. Photo: CCTV
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.

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.

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The HMNZS Aotearoa, a Polar-class replenishment vessel of the New Zealand Navy, was deployed to the East China and Yellow seas with allies in November. Photo: Handout via Reuters
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Despite existing regulations, the use of AI frequently raises concerns and controversy in China. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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