Time for the Two Sessions

The annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee are China’s major political gatherings. The NPC and the CPPCC National Committee are, respectively, the highest state organ of power and top political advisory body and both have five-year terms. Their annual sessions, usually held in March, focus on the economic and social blueprint of the country for the coming year.

The Second Session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee opened on March 4 and the Second Session of the 14th NPC opened on March 5, attended by approximately 2,100 members and 2,900 elected deputies, respectively.

At the opening of the NPC session, Premier Li Qiang delivered the Report on

nd the Work of the Government, which reviewed last year’s economic performance and laid out priorities for the government’s work this year for deliberation and approval by the deputies. The CPPCC National Committee members were also present to participate in the discussion of the report and offer their comments.

Other routine duties on the NPC agenda include reviewing the implementation of the 2023 national economic and social development plan and the 2024 draft plan; reviewing the report on the implementation of the 2023 central and local budgets and the draft central and local budgets for 2024; deliberating on the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, which carries out constitutional duties between the NPC’s annual sessions; and examining the work report of the Supreme People’s Court, the nation’s highest court, and the work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, which mainly deals with public prosecution and the supervision of criminal investigation.

A legislative item on this year’s agenda—amending the Organic Law of the State Council—will refine the way China’s highest state administrative organ works. The law is being revised for the first time in over 40 years, since it was first passed in December 1982.

The CPPCC National Committee consists of prominent figures in all sectors of society—from political to artistic communities. They are also involved in national governance, making proposals for the betterment of the people and the country.

The Two Sessions are held in an open format. More than 3,000 journalists have registered to cover the events this year, including 1,000-plus from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.