China's Two Sessions: what are the meetings and why do they matter?

"The event is called the Two Sessions because both the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) hold their annual meetings separately, but at the same time. The CPPCC is an advisory body, with little real political influence but often considers some outside-the-box proposals for issues like China's demographic crisis."

"The 3,000-member NPC is the Chinese Communist party's legislative body, but is largely a rubber stamp parliament, having never rejected a bill put before it."

"The Two Sessions gathering has hosted hugely significant policy changes in the past. In 2023, it saw the formalisation of Xi's precedent-busting third term as leader. In 2020, the NPC unveiled plans for the national security law now in place over Hong Kong."

The Two Sessions comprises two simultaneous annual meetings in Beijing: the National People's Congress (NPC), a 3,000-member legislative body that functions as a rubber stamp parliament, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body with limited political influence. The NPC has never rejected legislation, while the CPPCC includes business executives, celebrities, and notable individuals offering outside-the-box proposals on issues like demographic challenges. These meetings establish official economic targets, announce military budgets, confirm party leadership changes, and occasionally feature speeches from Premier and Communist Party Chair Xi Jinping. Historically significant decisions have emerged, including Xi's unprecedented third term formalization in 2023 and Hong Kong's national security law in 2020. This year's focus centers on the 15th five-year plan for 2026-2030, emphasizing domestic demand expansion and advancement in cutting-edge technologies.

Read at www.theguardian.com