Lawmakers, political advisors inoculated for two sessions

Deputies to China’s National People’s Congress ( NPC) and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference ( CPPCC) are preparing to come to Beijing to attend China’s most important annual political events, as the two sessions period begins next week.

As a window to observe China’s development and an embodiment of Chinese democracy, the two sessions cover the country’s essential economic and social development plans, drawing worldwide attention. This year’s meetings have grabbed special attention as 2021 marks the beginning of the country’s new 14th Five- Year Plan ( 2021- 25) period and the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China.

The eyes of the world will be on how China will realize its economic goals and build its new development paradigm, and what kind of reforms are expected.

NPC deputies and CPPCC members from across the nation including South China’s Guangdong Province, Central China’s Hubei Province, and Northwest China’s Gansu Province reached by the Global Times on Sunday said they have received notices from local organizing committees on getting COVID- 19 vaccines, but it is not compulsory.

“I’m about to get the second dose this week. It is voluntary and I have met other deputies while waiting for the vaccination,” said Zhu Lieyu, an NPC deputy who is a lawyer from the Guoding Law Firm in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

According to Zhu, all deputies and members are required to get a nucleic acid test before coming to Beijing. Whether they will undergo a second test in Beijing is unknown.

Most deputies and members from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have already received COVID- 19 vaccines, getting well prepared for their upcoming trips to Beijing, two NPC deputies from the city reached told by the Global Times.

The delegations will receive detailed arrangements about epidemic prevention and control measures after arriving in Beijing, Chan said.

A source close to the matter told the Global Times that the deputies and members will arrive in Beijing on March 3 and the meeting is also expected to be shortened to seven days, as it was last year.