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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 event will be the first after China dropped its three-year-old Covid-19 restrictions. It will see a major reshuffle of top government jobs including the premier. President Xi Jinping, who just secured a ground-breaking third term as party’s leader, is set to secure a third presidential term at the two sessions too.
The ultra-leftist revival threatens Xi’s plans to revive the economy and turn China into a dominant world power by 2049. It’s time to curb these ultra-nationalistic tendencies and return to pragmatic reform and development.
Current measures like the three-child policy per couple are not enough to increase the country’s flagging fertility rate.
Washington shows no sign of lifting long-standing sanctions on China’s new defence minister, observers say.
President Xi Jinping’s pledge to seek ‘peaceful development’ of cross-strait relations seen as part of consistent messaging on Taiwan.
In the traditional press conference at the end of the parliamentary meetings, the Chinese premier makes few comments on diplomacy.
Since being appointed central bank governor in 2018, US-educated Yi Gang has led financial reforms and a debt reduction campaign, while maintaining a prudent monetary stance.
China’s ‘two sessions’ confirms top roles for Yi Gang and Liu Kun at the central bank and the Ministry of Finance as authorities confront financial headwinds.
In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we break down events from the first week of China’s ‘two sessions’ in Beijing.
Self-propelled suction machine will feature a 10,000kW reamer, adding to the country’s fleet.
The country needs to advance its own cognitive development models, which are far behind the best competitors, iFlytek founder says.
Former Hubei party chief Ying Yong, responsible for the country’s initial response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, is named procurator-general.
Li Qiang was confirmed as China’s premier – its No 2 official – on Saturday during the ‘two sessions’, but the position is seen to hold diminishing authority as President Xi Jinping consolidates power.
A widening population imbalance continues to plague China, but this year’s government work report did not offer much detail about how the dilemma will be addressed, raising concerns.
Talk of financial risk management at annual parliamentary meetings serves as a high-profile reassurance of leadership’s repeated vows to curb financial risks and alleviate revenue problems across the country.
President Xi Jinping has again urged entrepreneurs to give to charity and ‘share the fruits of growth’, but his message could find a muted reaction among private firms still recovering from three years of Covid uncertainty.
The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said on Wednesday that it was ‘open’ to a visit by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo after she said last week that she was considering visiting China.
China is the latest country in the region to announce a boost in its defence budget, with analysts expecting the trend to gather pace.
For China, the task of boosting the private economy will be divided into more detailed plans and be allocated to specific government agencies for implementation after the ongoing ‘two sessions’ parliamentary meetings.
Qin uses his first press conference in his new role to blame Washington for the current tensions, citing its ‘overreaction’ to an alleged spy balloon.
China’s growth model an important source of inspiration for developing nations, Qin Gang says at first press conference in new role.
Chinese foreign minister invokes wartime past in warning to Tokyo to not upset the international order.
In his first press conference in the role, Qin Gang signals China will not back down under pressure, but shrugs off ‘Wolf Warrior’ label.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang hails Russian relations, blasts ‘invisible hand’ escalating Ukraine conflict.
‘If the Taiwan question cannot be handled well, it will shake the very foundation of China-US relations,’ Qin warns.
China will create a new oversight body for parts of the finance sector, strengthen the science and technology ministry, and establish a new data regime in an effort to fortify the country against mounting risks.
Foreign minister says Chinese economic prospects are good for the region, which should not be treated as a ‘geopolitical chessboard’.
In rare singling out of Washington, Chinese president says America brings China ‘unprecedented severe challenges to the country’s development’.
Qin says containment and suppression will not make America great and won’t stop China.
China’s universities and colleges are urged to fall in line with national childbirth policy direction, but some demographers warn against encouraging or discouraging students in family planning.
More PLA resources to go towards integration and modernisation of the armed forces – rather than buying weapon systems, observers say.