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Two Sessions 2024 (Lianghui)

Two Sessions 2024 (Lianghui)
“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 marks the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, and even though more stimulus packages are expected to be unveiled at the two sessions, it is unlikely that economic growth will be Xi Jinping’s only priority.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (centre), held an engagement session on Thursday to exchange views with about 30 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deputies to the National People’s Congress. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong NPC deputies meet city leader ahead of ‘two sessions’ in Beijing

Greater Bay Area, mega-events and technology innovation among proposals to boost city’s economy.

China’s Communist Party

China sets dates for ‘two sessions’ as investors await 2025 growth target

Artificial intelligence

China’s AI-related firms total 1.67 million in 2024’s first half amid ChatGPT frenzy

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong to brief officials, lawmakers on ‘two sessions’

Zheng Yanxiong, director of central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, is expected to offer key takeaways from last month’s ‘two sessions’ in Beijing.

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The country’s annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing ended on March 11 this year. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

Asian Angle | China’s drive for industrial dominance is likely to hurt itself and others

If Chinese workers were to make less and buy more, other countries could grow faster and so buy more solar panels, electric vehicles, and other advanced manufactured goods from China.

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China economy

Opinion | Why China is playing 5D chess in its pursuit of economic revival

China’s new focus on innovation-driven development offers hope for sustainable development and avoiding the middle-income trap. A technological breakthrough in advanced sectors could be the decisive driver in transforming the country’s future and keeping pace with the United States.

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China economy

Opinion | 2 things China must focus on to hit its economic growth target

To achieve its economic growth target, Beijing will have to lift consumption and hi-tech exports. China’s unique circumstances mean it requires more stimulus than previously, including the 4 trillion yuan used to combat the 2008 global financial crisis.

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Employees work on the semiconductor chip production line at Jiangsu Azure Corp in Huaian, Jiangsu province, in March 2022. Photo: China Daily via Reuters
China economy

Opinion | China’s plan for ‘new productive forces’ should make the West sit up

It’s the successor to the grossly underestimated “Made in China 2025” strategy, which spawned China’s dominance in electric cars, green tech and other high-end industries.

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Artificial intelligence

China said to fall short of matching US advances in AI amid major challenges

A presentation made to Chinese Premier Li Qiang pointed out major hurdles faced by the nation’s artificial-intelligence development initiatives.

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China’s Communist Party

‘Two sessions’ concludes, Article 23 advances, TikTok, China Vanke and more

China concluded its most important annual gathering of political leaders on Monday, capping the high-level meetings with the approval of amendments to a law that effectively tightens Communist Party control of the State Council. Also in the news: TikTok in the US, China Vanke is downgraded, Xiaomi starts to take car orders and more.

Photo: SCMP/Yik Yeung-man
Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

Video | The heat is on: how China plans to meet the challenges ahead

Post executive editor Chow Chung-yan and managing editor Yonden Lhatoo unpack Beijing’s biggest annual plenary event.

‘Two sessions’: China’s economic and diplomatic challenges | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
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China technology

Opinion | The risks and rewards as China makes a big push for science and tech

Amid a US tech war, China is boosting its war chest by 10 per cent and focusing on basic research, moves that could establish its tech supremacy. But internal challenges remain.

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China technology

China’s Xi wants market-ready scientific research – and singles out 2 provinces

President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for China’s development of hi-tech research and manufacturing, calling for more patents to be commercialised and turned into viable, popular products.

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China economy

The View | Why isn’t China doing more to lift its economy, and Asia’s?

Beijing has shown no urgency at its NPC meeting to reboot or stimulate its economy in a way that would support its target, dashing the hopes of its neighbours worried about the drag from an economic giant fighting decline.

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President Xi Jinping (front row, left) and Premier Li Qiang (front row, right) arrive for the closing session of the 14th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11. Photo: AFP
China's economic recovery

China should be more transparent about economic data, government adviser says

Economist and ‘two sessions’ delegate Yang Chengzhang says China needs ‘richer sources of statistics and information’ and calls for releases from tertiary and research institutions, industrial associations and the media.

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China was criticised for suspending issuing the youth unemployment rate for the 16 to 24 age group in July. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

Editorial | China’s challenges ahead will test strengthening of party leadership

State Council institutions must follow new line that aims to improve efficiency, deliver growth and ensure technological transformation.

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Science

As I see it | Can China let its young tech innovators boldly go where no one has gone before?

Beijing needs to unleash the creativity of its researchers if it is to close the technology gap with the West on its own.

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China’s Communist Party

‘Two sessions’: Party control and ‘new quality productive forces’

The highlight of the final day of the ‘two sessions’ was passage of amendments to the Organic Law of the State Council, which gives the Chinese Communist Party tighter control over China’s cabinet. We look at what that means.

National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji speaks as President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang listen. Photo: EPA
China economy

Two sessions by the numbers

The most-watched-for number in Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s maiden government work report was the economic-growth rate, but allocations to other endeavours also shed light on the government’s priorities.

Xi Jinping

China’s revised law makes Xi decision-maker for ‘almost all policy aspects’

Era of separation of power between the party and the government is now over, according to analyst.

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China economy

Opinion | What does Xi’s hi-tech push mean for China?

‘New quality productive forces’, with its focus on science and technology, is seen as the answer to China’s economic woes, with the potential to transform society. However, outside the establishment, there is confusion and scepticism surrounding the puzzling catchphrase.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China's population

China’s northern gate seeks to avoid ‘hollowing out’ amid population exodus

China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which borders Russia and Mongolia, is concerned about so-called hollowing out amid an exodus of young people impacting economic development and national security.

A bride and bridegroom take part in a blessing ceremony in front of a traditional housing in Aoluguya Ewenki Township, Genhe City of north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Photo: Xinhua
National People's Congress (NPC)

Opinion | Why I miss the Chinese premier’s annual press conference after the ‘two sessions’

The much-anticipated press conference at the close of the National People’s Congress was cancelled, discontinuing a customary practice that was established in the early 1990s.

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China technology

Scientists warn restrictions risk battering Beijing’s ‘productive forces’ plan

China’s minister of science and technology vows that steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks that impede innovation, in line with President Xi Jinping’s fresh push for tech self-sufficiency.

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Cybersecurity

US trade sanctions, software gap taking toll on China’s cybersecurity ambitions

Supply disruptions are limiting the country’s ability to make high-end cybersecurity products, according to QAX chairman Qi Xiangdong.

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Cybersecurity expert Qi Xiangdong says Western countries have a natural advantage in collecting intelligence about vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong’s SFC Chairman proposes cutting Stock Connect threshold to lure funds

The minimum asset requirement for investing in Hong Kong equities via the Stock Connect scheme should be cut to 100,000 yuan (US$13,900) from 500,000 yuan, SFC chairman Tim Lui says.

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Hong Kong’s top market regulator has made a number of suggestions at China’s annual parliamentary meeting to boost the fortunes of the city’s stock exchange. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

China’s lawmakers walk fine line between AI development and tighter regulation

AI was a hot topic among the business and political elite at China’s annual legislative gathering, as the country seeks to leverage generative AI to drive economic growth while maintaining regulatory control.

China economy

‘A whole new ball game’: China’s central bank looks to learn from US blunders

After changes to its leadership and structure, and with draft laws altering its scope, China’s central bank looks to be taking on a different role from years past – one which seems notably distinct from Western norms.

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