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National People's Congress (NPC)

National People's Congress (NPC)
Latest news and updates about the National People's Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. It holds one full session annually to vote on new laws and amendments, and review government’s work and policies. The NPC has about 3,000 members who are elected for five-year terms.
Starry Lee (right) receives applause at a special forum at the Legislative Council complex on January 8 ahead of the election of the president of the council. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council president must strike the right balance

In her new role, Starry Lee needs to lead the council in cooperating with the government while representing the voice of the public.

Robotics

Chinese firms, led by AgiBot, outpace US rivals in 2025 humanoid robot shipments

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China-South Korea relations

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Starry Lee or Ronick Chan? Lawmakers’ choice will reveal their priorities

How legislators vote will show how they see their roles and whether they prioritise national and city interests above personal political gain.

Starry Lee and Ronick Chan separately take their oaths at the Legislative Council chamber on January 1. Photo: Elson Li
Corruption in China

China’s anti-corruption campaign claims 3 more top military officers

Two generals and an admiral have been expelled from the national legislature after noticeable absences in recent months.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s Starry Lee seeks to unite lawmakers, but quiet about Legco presidency

Asked if she plans to run for position, Lee says her roles as a delegate to China’s top legislative body and at Legco do not conflict.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s role to be discussed in China’s top legislature annual session

Sole delegate to National People’s Congress Starry Lee expects the city’s role in finance, trade, and innovation to be discussed in 15th five-year plan.

China’s top legislative body will discuss the nation’s next five-year development plan in its annual session in March. Photo: AP
China-New Zealand relations

7 Chinese warships followed our navy vessel in East Asia, New Zealand says

Wellington says ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

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Law

China’s move to seal records of offences like drug use sparks public backlash

New rule takes effect on January 1 and means the offences will no longer be attached to a person’s identity information.

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Legislative Council election 2025

Hopefuls spar over livelihood issues, upping ante at Hong Kong Legco poll forums

In a shift of tempo, the host at the two forums reminds candidates that they can express different opinions during debates.

(From left to right) Tam Chun-kwok, Kent Tsang, Wilson Shum, Michael Liu, Yiu Ming. Photo: Nora Tam
China’s private sector

From rail to nuclear power, China taps private capital to fund major projects

Beijing unveils a slew of new measures to channel private investment into infrastructure projects ranging from hydropower to oil pipelines.

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Workers lay track for a new high-speed railway in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. China aims to encourage more private investment in major projects, including new railways and nuclear power facilities. Photo: Xinhua
Legislative Council election 2025

Fewer registered professionals, more councillors contesting Hong Kong Legco poll

Post check of declared occupations found that 28 per cent of candidates are professionals, a 10 percentage point decrease over the last poll.

China-EU relations

Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Second-in-command Hsiao Bi-khim addresses unofficial conference of lawmakers, prompting ‘indignation’ from Beijing.

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Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | 30% of 161 Hong Kong Legco election candidates linked to mainland Chinese firms

Higher proportion marks significant increase from 2021 poll and reflects growing prominence of mainland capital in Hong Kong’s economy.

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The Legco chamber in Admiralty. Photo: Edmond So
Corruption in China

China expels former aerospace boss and military auditor from top legislature

Xu Dazhe, former vice-minister and space programme director, and Sun Bin, who was CMC auditor, have been removed from NPC duties.

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Xu Dazhe, former party secretary of Hunan province and long-time aerospace official, has been expelled from the National People’s Congress, according to the NPC Standing Committee. Photo: NPC
Taiwan

Beijing sets October 25 as day to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration

National People’s Congress Standing Committee says designation strengthens ‘international community’s commitment to the one-China principle’.

China’s fourth plenum

Editorial | 5-year plan offers hope of stability amid global uncertainty

‘Peaceful’ role for Hong Kong as blueprint charts China’s future through high-quality development, technological self-reliance, innovation.

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China’s Communist Party

Zhang Shengmin promoted to vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission

Communique of fourth plenary session of Central Committee declares Zhang Fengzhong, of the PLA Rocket Force, is under a corruption probe.

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China has promoted Zhang Shengmin, the military’s anti-graft chief, to vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission. Photo: Handout
Cybersecurity

China moves to strengthen regulation of AI safety and ethics

China’s Cybersecurity Law will be amended to address new tech challenges and illegal activities, top legislative body says.

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China-EU relations

Brussels and Beijing lawmakers spar over Russia, Taiwan in first talks since 2018

Chinese delegation defends Moscow and questions Nato as EU warns ties hinge on Beijing’s stance over Ukraine.

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China economy

Editorial | As China drafts another five-year plan, it must brace for challenges

Amid domestic and global headwinds, national development won’t be easy. Hong Kong can help serve Beijing’s development goals.

Commuters wait at a bus stop during evening rush hour at the central business district in Beijing on March 2. The Politburo has set a date for the party’s fourth plenum, during which its leaders will introduce the 15th five-year plan. Photo: Reuters
Xi Jinping

Xi renews warning against Taiwan independence in National Day address

Xi Jinping pledges to ‘practice true multilateralism’ and urges protection of national sovereignty.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping takes part in the National Day reception on the eve of the 76th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US delegation’s ‘ice-breaking’ China visit hints at thaw in relations

Foreign ministry describes talks with US bipartisan group of lawmakers as ‘candid, in-depth’ exchange of views.

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese defence minister’s speech, US Fed cuts rates: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China-EU relations

EU, China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16

Sources say invitations will be sent to Beijing imminently, with date and agenda still to be confirmed.

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European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who worked to achieve last year’s detente in China-EU relations. Photo: AFP
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China expels 4 generals from legislature as anti-corruption push rolls through PLA

People’s Armed Police commander Wang Chunning the most senior of the group to lose his role as a lawmaker.

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Wang Chunning is the most senior of the generals to lose his NPC role in this round of anti-corruption action. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

‘Urgent revisions’ mulled for China’s bankruptcy law, with shortcomings in mind

Move could help clear economic bottlenecks and eliminate ‘zombie enterprises’, while better protecting the rights of stakeholders, economic law professor says.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Lawmakers can learn from CY Leung’s constructive criticism of government

It is in the public’s best interests for legislators to hold officials to account rather than constantly present a united front.

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