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Two Sessions 2021 (Lianghui): Top Priorities

Two Sessions 2021 (Lianghui): Top Priorities
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.
This year’s government work report contained no mention of economic cooperation with the US. Photo: AP
Two Sessions 2022

China’s diplomacy budget grows while trade deal outlook narrows

A modest increase in spending reverse 2 years of declines for the country’s diplomatic corps.

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Two Sessions 2022

How does China’s defence budget rise compare with spending elsewhere?

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China census and demographics 2021

How China’s census may prompt a rethink on births, greying population

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China economy

Watch as China’s 14th five-year plan for 2021-25 is discussed, explained

The Hong Kong-based One Country Two Systems Research Institute is hosting an event on Tuesday, which is being live streamed on scmp.com, examining China’s 14th five-year plan that was approved at the National People’s Congress earlier this month.

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China’s 14th five-year plans covers 2021-2025. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2021

Editorial | Reform of retirement policy is time-critical

China’s rapidly ageing population means action is needed sooner rather than later as the country aims to adjust the retirement age for all to 65.

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Science

Chinese scientists challenge Google’s ‘quantum supremacy’ claim

Researchers in Beijing say they took a different approach that saw 60 graphics processors complete the job ‘in about five days’.

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China economy

Opinion | China’s grand plan points the way, but the path to success is still unclear

China laid out its 14th five-year plan and the 2035 Vision at the ‘two sessions’ meetings in Beijing, but both contain two big assumptions.

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By China’s definition, China’s middle-income population is now around 400 million people, and a number of state researchers have suggested that China needs to at least double its size to 800 million. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2021

China’s ‘two sessions’ set out broad ambitions for leading role in the world

The latest issue of the Global Impact newsletter looks back at the “two sessions” meetings and how President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party leadership unveiled more details of their blueprint to push Chinese development to the next stage. 

China Briefing

China Briefing | China walks fine line between stoking nationalism, seeking global engagement

As Beijing embarks on a strategy to boost its domestic market and tech exports, it must be careful not to let nationalist sentiment get in the way of its plans.

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Two Sessions 2021

Rural education, innovation key to China’s higher productivity growth goal

China is in need of new sources of growth after the old growth model propelled by investment began running out of steam, and laid out its plans in the draft of its 14th five-year plan for 2021-25 last week.

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The growth of labour productivity in China, measured by gross domestic product (GDP) per worker, has remained high and in line with GDP growth over the past five years, owing largely to high investment. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2021

US says Beijing’s plans for Hong Kong a ‘direct attack’ on autonomy

‘The changes approved by the National People’s Congress today on March 11 are a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, its freedoms, its democratic processes,’ says US State Department spokesman Ned Price.

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“The changes approved by the National People’s Congress today on March 11 are a direct attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, its freedoms, its democratic processes,” said US State Department spokesman Ned Price. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2021

Li says Taiwan’s politicians welcome for talks if they accept ‘one China’

But Taipei says Beijing should ‘take note of the mindset of the Taiwanese people and refrain from using political terms to hold back amicable interaction’.

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Two Sessions 2021

China’s smog clarifies balancing act between industry and climate action

Beijing has set ambitious green targets in its 14th five-year plan but they are in contrast to continued investment in fossil fuels, say environmentalists.

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Two Sessions 2021

Premier defends China’s modest growth target, leaves room for ‘uncertainty’

Premier Li Keqiang says China’s GDP growth rate of above 6 per cent gives Beijing leeway to respond to the ‘considerable uncertainty’ surrounding its economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says a growth rate of above 6 per cent leaves room for ‘considerable uncertainty’ involving the economic rebound in China. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2021

Beijing’s focus on maritime law ‘reflects concerns over South China Sea’

Five-year plan includes call to mitigate risks and prepare for legal battles to defend national interests.

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Beijing refused to accept a 2016 international tribunal ruling that there is no legal basis for its claims to most of the South China Sea. Photo: Weibo
Two Sessions 2021

Explainer | How well are women and ethnic minorities represented in China’s legislature?

Women now make up around 25 per cent of the legislature, but men from the dominant Han group still hold most of the top leadership positions.

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Two Sessions 2021

China’s tech push includes plans to lure more skilled migrants

Five-year plan calls for talent to be brought in to help drive areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, life sciences, space and aviation.

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Two Sessions 2021

Smart courts, government debt and prenatal check-ups top ‘two sessions’ agenda

CPPCC concludes its week-long meeting, while NPC will wrap up tomorrow evening with a press conference by Premier Li Keqiang.

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An NPC deputy from Hebei province has suggested making routine check-ups for pregnant women free of charge. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2021

China’s leadership sounds alarm on ‘heavy’ local government debt burden

Top officials in China say the debt burden of some local governments is worryingly high, ordering them to refrain from recklessly expanding infrastructure projects.

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Two Sessions 2021

China promises fair market conditions but boosts support for state firms

The government’s new work report promises equal treatment for private and state-owned enterprises (SOE), but China’s push for SOE innovation could undermine the goal.

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Two Sessions 2021

China’s court changes may create world’s first AI-integrated legal system

Under the 14th five-year plan, Chinese courts will upgrade to the fourth generation of smart court by 2025.

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Between February and December last year, more than 7 million legal cases in China were filed online and more than 4 million cases were adjudicated online. Photo: Shutterstock
Two Sessions 2021

China has ‘a lot of work to do’ to convince its people to spend again

Policies are needed to improve livelihoods and support low-income earners, or analysts say China’s new plan to rely on domestic consumption risks being dragged down by weak consumer spending.

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Chinese state media say at least 3 million shops and restaurants in China were forced to close or had their licenses revoked in the first 11 months of last year. Photo: Getty Images
Two Sessions 2021

China’s officials play up ‘rise of the East, decline of the West’

Ahead of Communist Party centenary in July, cadres have hailed ‘extraordinary accomplishments’ at meetings in Beijing.

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Two Sessions 2021

Nuclear waste, veterans and Hong Kong backlash top ‘two sessions’ agenda

It was another busy day in Beijing for China’s lawmakers and policy influencers as the annual sessions enter their final stretch.

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Two Sessions 2021

Xi tells China’s military ‘be prepared to respond’ in unstable times

Chinese president also stresses need for ‘high-level strategic deterrence’ and more tech innovation, after defence minister’s call for PLA to be battle ready amid ‘high-risk phase’.

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China wants to have a “world-class military” by 2050. Photo: AFP
China economy

Miner BHP makes another anti-pollution deal with Chinese steel producer

Newly signed memorandum of understanding between Chinese steel mill and Australian miner will see US$15 million spent over three years on research to reduce harmful carbon emissions.

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Smoke billows from a large steel plant in Inner Mongolia, China. Beijing is looking to make the country carbon neutral by 2060. Photo: Getty Images
Two Sessions 2021

Energy security crucial to China’s plan to be free of foreign dependence

New five-year plan calls for more oil and gas production to better safeguard power supplies.

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RCEP

China ratifies RCEP trade deal ahead of schedule, urges others to follow suit

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao confirmed the 15-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) had been ratified during the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

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