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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.

last updated:

11 November, 2024

During the “two sessions” in March, the Chinese government is expected to reveal its annual policy plans for the economy, military, trade, diplomacy and the environment. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

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

Premier Li Qiang expected to deliver work report when top legislature’s meeting opens on March 5, but he will skip press conference again.

25 Dec 2024 - 4:08PM

Artificial intelligence

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

6 Aug 2024 - 5:01PM

Hong Kong politics

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

3 Apr 2024 - 11:31PMvideocam

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.

24 Mar 2024 - 11:00AM

An electric vehicle from Chinese manufacturer BYD drives along a street in Beijing. For China to avoid overcapacity there must be sufficient final demand for new advanced manufactured goods. Photo: Reuters

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.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:28AMvideocam

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.

17 Mar 2024 - 5:22PMvideocam

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.

16 Mar 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

China’s President Xi Jinping applauds at the end of the closing session of the 14th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11. Photo: AFP

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.

15 Mar 2024 - 7:00PM

Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

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.

16 Mar 2024 - 12:23AM

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.

14 Mar 2024 - 6:52AMvideocam

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.

14 Mar 2024 - 11:27AMvideocam

President Xi Jinping inspects an exhibition on Shanghai’s sci-tech innovations. Photo: Xinhua

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.

13 Mar 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

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.

13 Mar 2024 - 9:24AM

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.

13 Mar 2024 - 1:41AMvideocam

The National People’s Congress (NPC) Constitution and Law Committee holds a plenary meeting to review a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing on March 7. Photo: Xinhua

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 8:39PMvideocam

China will need a big pool of talent to overcome tech sanctions from the West. Photo: Shutterstock

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 2:27PMvideocam

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 12:59PM

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 8:55AMvideocam

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:37AMvideocam

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.

11 Mar 2024 - 6:49PMvideocam

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.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:51AMvideocam

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.

11 Mar 2024 - 9:16AM

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.

13 Mar 2024 - 11:02AMvideocam

China considers making bosses pay for online ‘invisible overtime’

Top advisory body has accepted his proposal on ‘working overtime online’ and talks with government agencies on the matter are imminent, China’s trade union federation chief Lyu Guoquan says.

10 Mar 2024 - 11:00PM

It has become increasingly common for people in China to reply to after-hours work-related messages on instant messaging apps like WeChat, and handle work on their phones during days off. Photo: AFP

China military reform

China’s growing defence budget targets combat readiness, ‘preparation for war’

PLA says increased military spending aims to ‘improve strategic capacity’ to defend sovereignty, security and development interests amid ‘instability and uncertainty’ and ‘complex and grim’ anti-separatist struggle.

10 Mar 2024 - 10:00PM

Beijing will spend more to improve the work and living conditions of PLA personnel and to overhaul internal military governance, according to the Chinese defence ministry. Photo: Xinhua

Hundreds in net as China’s top prosecutors intensify financial crime crackdown

Number of people charged with corruption or dereliction of duty last year rose nearly 35 per cent from 2022, Supreme People’s Procuratorate says.

10 Mar 2024 - 9:04PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong finance chief says Beijing’s growth target ‘not easy, but achievable’

Finance chief also says country’s push to open ‘its door wider’ to world will allow Hong Kong to use exhibitions on mainland to promote its own events.

10 Mar 2024 - 11:31PM

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