China's annual Two Sessions political meetings begin this week in Beijing, with thousands of delegates from across mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau gathering to ratify legislation, personnel changes and the national budget over approximately two weeks. The event comprises the National People's Congress (NPC), the legislative body, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body. This year, attention centers on the 15th five-year plan for 2026-2030, which prioritizes boosting domestic demand and advancing cutting-edge technologies such as nuclear fusion, quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
Key highlights from the plan, released in draft form last year, include reducing China's economic reliance on the United States amid an uneasy trade truce. The NPC, with about 3,000 members, is expected to set official economic targets and announce the military budget. The CPPCC, whose members include business executives and celebrities like actor Jackie Chan and basketballer Yao Ming, often considers unconventional proposals, such as those addressing China's demographic crisis.
This year's sessions occur amid a major shakeup in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). In January, President Xi Jinping placed his top general under investigation for suspected corruption and disloyalty, following the ousting of several other military and defense figures in recent months. The meetings may also feature a speech by Xi, though this is not guaranteed.
The Two Sessions have historically hosted significant policy changes, including the formalization of Xi's third term in 2023 and the unveiling of the national security law for Hong Kong in 2020. The event attracts a large contingent of foreign media, offering rare opportunities for interaction with Chinese Communist Party officials, though the annual premier's press conference was abruptly canceled in 2024.
