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Two Sessions 2020 (Lianghui): Opinion

Two Sessions 2020 (Lianghui): Opinion
Two Sessions refers to China's annual parliamentary meetings, where the two main political bodies of China - the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - reveal plans for China's policies involving the economy, military, trade, diplomacy, the environment and more. Normally held in March, the 2020 gatherings were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Restoring the economy that was badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to be a top priority for China's leaders.
A Chinese high school student studies late at night for the annual college entrance examinations, in Handan, Hebei province, in May 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE
China education

Opinion | Teaching tutoring centres a lesson won’t alleviate Chinese students’ stress

While President Xi Jinping is right to focus on the problems in the education sector, cram schools are only the tip of the iceberg. Reform of the gaokao system is key to ending the unhealthy over-reliance on after-school tutoring.

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Hong Kong politics

Letters | Hong Kong’s ‘can do’ spirit will not be crushed

Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Hongkongers let down by lack of answers on new security law

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Hong Kong national security law

Opinion | What will the national security law bring Hong Kong?

The way Beijing is rushing through the law – with little transparency – casts a sombre mood over the city’s handover anniversary. The most worrying features concern the court system – it appears Beijing does not entirely trust the city’s judges.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong national security law

Editorial | Release draft of the Hong Kong national security law for meaningful debate

Without the wording, it is unclear how it will work or how profound its impact will be on the people of Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Why time is ripe for Hong Kong to legislate Article 23

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Coronavirus pandemic

Editorial | ‘Weak links’ in China virus fight need fix

White paper makes it clear that urgent improvements must be made to the country’s infectious disease reporting and early warning systems.

Visitors at a government event aiming to stimulate consumer demand and consumption in Beijing as the emergency response level for the pandemic was lowered. Photo: AP
Hong Kong Basic Law

Opinion | How to rebuild confidence in Hong Kong

Hongkongers acted as one to contain the spread of Covid-19. This pro-Hong Kong spirit is called for to ensure safeguards are built into the national security law to reassure the international community.

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5050

Opinion | NPC meeting shows fixing economic woes is top priority for China

The combination of Covid-19 and the trade war is pushing China’s leaders to focus on the domestic economy rather than filling the void left by a retreating United States. Stabilising rising unemployment and eradicating absolute poverty appear to be the government’s top priorities.

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Chinese culture

Opinion | Downgrading English to boost China’s cultural confidence is a bad idea

National People’s Congress delegates have questioned the prominence of English at press conferences and in schools in China. But at a time when Covid-19 is aggravating anti-Chinese sentiment, China should stay open to cultural exchange.

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Simultaneous translation, in languages including English and French, is offered for a press conference given by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi via video link in Beijing on May 24. Photo: Xinhua
Inside Out & Outside In

Outside In | What Trump’s base and Hong Kong’s protest movement have in common

Conflicts over race issues in the US and a national security law in Hong Kong are no less distressing for proving what we know – that humans are hard-wired to be biased.

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President Donald Trump poses for photographs with a Bible outside St John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House on June 1, amid protests over the death of George Floyd. Photo: AP
Hong Kong political reform

Opinion | National security law threatens Hong Kong’s academic freedom

China’s tendency to use the vaguest, broadest terms in drafting its laws means research on several issues deemed too sensitive or falling under national security could become off-limits. This will be a strong disincentive for overseas academics to pursue research collaboration with their peers in Hong Kong.

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Coronavirus pandemic

Opinion | Hong Kong shows how to take care of its citizens in a crisis

Although the handling of the national anthem and national security laws has been disappointing, Hong Kong has done an admirable job of coping with the economic crisis from the Covid-19 pandemic, as it struggles to contain a political crisis as well.

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My Take

My Take | Never bet against China

Hong Kong has weathered some serious crises, but people always came back. This time, it will not be different.

The Chinese flag, behind barriers outside the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong in April. Photo: Bloomberg
Hong Kong national security law

Opinion | Have faith that national security law will secure peace and stability

After trying Beijing’s patience for years with squabbling and political gridlock, Hong Kong must now be patient and have faith that the national security law will be implemented properly, with clear and precise wording.

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A demonstrator is arrested by police during a rally in Hong Kong on May 24 against a new national security law. Central government authorities have assured the people of the city that the new legislation will not effect the rights of law-abiding citizens. Photo: DPA
Law

Letters | When politicians support rioters, it’s the public that suffers

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Hong Kong protests

Opinion | Only pragmatism, not protest, can help make Hong Kong safe again

Hong Kong must stop resisting and accommodate the central government’s demands for a national security law. Only through pragmatic negotiations with both sides’ best interests at heart will Beijing and Hong Kong secure the safe, prosperous future they desire.

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Macroscope

China’s clear message: jobs, stability now take lead in economic growth

Growth now a consequence of economic and social stability rather than other way around. Still, given proposed budget deficit and stated aims to create and preserve jobs, China’s economy needs to grow at least 2 per cent.

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A giant screen in Beijing shows President Xi Jinping during the closing session of the National People’s Congress on May 28. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong protests

Opinion | Trump’s America should handle its internal woes before criticising others

American administrations have too often given in to the urge to stick their nose in other countries’ affairs without the intent or ability to follow through. The US would be better off dealing with its own inequality and inept governance than scolding Beijing over how it handles Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong national security law

Opinion | Britain to offer alternative for Hongkongers fearing for their way of life

If Beijing imposes its national security law, Britain will ‘have no choice but to uphold our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong’, Boris Johnson says.

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The View

The View | China’s coronavirus stimulus is geared towards survival, but no more

At the close of the NPC annual meeting, Premier Li Keqiang made it clear that China will defy market hopes for large-scale stimulus in favour of targeted support to help the economy ‘survive’

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People ride their bicycles near a large screen showing a press conference by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang following the closing session of the 13th National People’s Congress in Beijing on May 28. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong national security law

Shades Off | National security law is a bitter betrayal of Hong Kong’s promise

Anyone who disagrees with the Communist Party line is likely to become open to bullying, credit-scoring and revenge – reminiscent of the weaponisation of fear during the Cultural Revolution.

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A large group of detainees sit on the ground as the police set up a cordon in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on May 27, when hundreds took to the streets to oppose the national anthem law and the national security law. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | National security law: how Hong Kong wore out Beijing’s patience

Tensions have long simmered on Hong Kong’s journey of integration with the mainland: the long-running protests triggered by the extradition bill were the last straw. Carrie Lam and her opponents share blame for jeopardising the future of the city and its young people.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s litany of failures left Beijing with no choice but to intervene

Incessant political squabbling and a refusal to compromise left Beijing with no choice but to take the lead on national security laws. The local government has been aloof and unresponsive while the opposition has failed to offer any serious counterproposals.

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China economy

Opinion | China’s decision to drop growth target is a blessing in disguise

Growth targets inevitably lock developing countries into a Western model of economic policy and a Western notion of how globalisation should work. 

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An unauthorised steel factory in Inner Mongolia. Moving the focus away from growth could enable China to focus on other matters, such as the environment. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong youth

Letters | Protesters who turn to violence do not deserve to be heard

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Police clear the road around a fire lit during pro-democracy protests in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on May 27. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong national security law

Beijing’s national security law heightens risk for firms and investors

The lack of transparency in the wording and unveiling of the national security law have heightened uncertainty over how it will be applied. Firms must assess the risks posed by the new legislation and what it means for the economy.

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Hong Kong national security law

Opinion | How Beijing’s national security legislation endangers Hong Kong rule of law

From its process of enactment, apparently bypassing the local legislature and ignoring public opinion, to its future implementation and enforcement, the national security law is incompatible with the city’s common law tradition.

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