What to expect from Beijing’s ‘two sessions’?

China’s largest political meeting begins in Beijing, focusing on the economy, technology and Taiwan, while the world observes every government movement

The annual meetings of China’s “two sessions” start this week, with thousands of political and community delegates coming to Beijing from all over mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao to ratify legislation, personnel changes and budget over about two weeks of highly choreographed meetings.

What are the two sessions?

The event is called “two sessions” because both the National Congress of the People (NPC) and the Chinese people’s Political Advisory Conference (CPPCC) hold their annual meetings separately but at the same time.

CPPCC is a consultative body, with little real political influence, but often presents proposals outside the Caixa on issues such as China’s demographic crisis.

Its members include executives from companies, celebrities and renowned individuals, including actor Jackie Chan and basketball player Yao Ming.

The NPC, consisting of 3,000 members, is the Legislative Body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but in practice it works as a “rubber stamp”, never rejecting a bill presented.

What happens at meetings?

Meetings include speeches of “work reports” by the Prime Minister and sometimes-but not always-speeches by the party leader. Official economic goals are set, announced military budgets, and changes in party leadership levels are confirmed.

The meeting of the two sessions has been the scene of enormously significant policy changes in the past. In 2023, he saw the formalization of Xi Jinping’s third term as leader, breaking precedents. By 2020, the NPC revealed plans for the National Security Act now in force in Hong Kong.

What is different this year?

This year, observers are aware of major economic stimulation policies to face China’s staggering economy and youth out of youth unemployment, as well as changes in the party’s approach to the technology industry. The sector has been on the sidwins for several years, apparently because he had a lot of deviation from Xi’s ideology. However, a recent symposium saw several high profile executives being received and greeted by Xi, with state media transmission.

There will probably be pronounced on Taiwan. XI and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have long expressed their intention to attach Taiwan, refusing to discard the use of force to do so. The government and the people of Taiwan increasingly oppose the perspective of a Chinese rule, and the situation has become increasingly hostile and precarious. In recent weeks, the Language coming from the CCP on Taiwan has been a little harsher, according to observers who carefully monitor to the smallest changes in carefully elaborate statements from the party.

And of course, in the background, is the return of Trump and its tariffs over China.

Should we expect any controversy?

The two sessions, like all CCP political meetings, are highly choreographed and planned to the slightest detail – but unexpected things still happen. At the 2022 party congress, Peng Lifa held a brave protest at the Sitong Bridge in Beijing. Peng was arrested, his whereabouts are still unknown, and the authorities now watches the Bridges of Beijing during political events to ensure that this is not repeated.

In that same event of 2022, the foreign press captured the extraordinary moment when former President Hu Jintao was physically taken from his seat next to Xi and driven outside the room.

The sessions are accompanied by a large multitude of foreign media, many flying to attend the meeting and have a rare chance to personally interact with CCP officers. In 2024, the Prime Minister’s annual press conference was abruptly canceled without explanation, closing one of the already limited transparency forums.

With information from The Guardian*