Two Sessions

The 'Two Sessions' are China's most significant annual political event, comprising meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Thousands of delegates gather in Beijing to ratify legislation, personnel changes, and the budget, setting the country's policy direction. They are newsworthy as they provide a window into Beijing's top-level policy agenda and economic recalibration. Recent discussions have focused on setting a GDP growth target (the lowest in decades), approving the 15th five-year plan, defusing financial risks, rooting out corruption, and adopting a proactive macroeconomic stance. The meetings are also relevant for international observers, including investors monitoring drug pricing policies and those interested in Hong Kong's alignment with national priorities, the internationalization of the yuan, and China's global expansion. The US-China presidential summit is also a topic of interest.