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Two Sessions 2023 (Lianghui)

Two Sessions 2023 (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’s event will be the first after China dropped its three-year-old Covid-19 restrictions. It will see a major reshuffle of top government jobs including the premier. President Xi Jinping, who just secured a ground-breaking third term as party’s leader, is set to secure a third presidential term at the two sessions too.
last updated:
9 September, 2024

Video: The ‘two sessions’ – China’s most important political meetings of the year

Semiconductors

China funds new ‘chiplet’ tech research projects to advance semiconductor goals

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China economy

Opinion | With the right keys, China is still a most attractive investment option

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China’s Communist Party

Vice-Premier He Lifeng to oversee China’s monetary issues, foreign investment

The 68-year-old Politburo member will take charge of China’s financial stability and security.

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Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is the former head of the country’s top economic planner, the NDRC. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Opinion | Signs for Hong Kong at China’s ‘two sessions’ were promising

The central government’s commitment to the ‘one country, two systems’ principle in Hong Kong was apparent at the country’s annual parliamentary meetings. However, the city must efficiently tackle challenges ranging from housing to innovation and technology development to meet the central government’s expectations.

Li Qiang

China’s new cabinet leaders get to work, signalling their portfolios

Liu Guozhong begins work on agricultural affairs while Shen Yiqin takes on employment and civil affairs roles.

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Hong Kong politics

Chinese executive vice-premier to be Hong Kong and Macau affairs top official

Ding Xuexiang to lead office, which will answer to central leadership, but present head of ministerial-level office to stay on and help transition.

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Details of a shake-up of Beijing’s administration of Hong Kong and Macau were outlined by sources on Tuesday. Photo: May Tse
China economy

The View | China has shown its eagerness to do business and engage with the world

The signs are there: a pro-business cabinet, a big welcome for foreign investment and a big push for diplomacy, connectivity and sustainability. For many international companies, China will still be a major growth driver this year.

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Two Sessions 2023

Xi Jinping consolidates power at home, but attentions turn to overseas turbulence

In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we wrap up the events from the ‘two sessions’ and look ahead to what’s next after a busy few days of comings and goings in Beijing.

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Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

What to expect from China under third-term President Xi Jinping

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Hong Kong politics

Why did Beijing ‘elevate’ its top office for Hong Kong affairs?

The move will provide a clearer chain of command with other benefits such as greater efficiencies, but some ask whether high degree of autonomy will be affected.

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Observers have said the latest political reshuffle underscores Hong Kong’s importance to China’s overall development plans. Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Science

China’s Communist Party to take science and tech reins to break US containment

New commission will centralise leadership, determining national strategy and goals.

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Communist Party politics

China’s party reforms strengthen control over finance, science and tech

Beijing’s latest restructuring plan bolsters ‘party-state’ and continues trend of consolidating party oversight over crucial domains, observers say

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China seeks to tighten grip with new social work department

The move ‘turbocharges’ efforts to extend party’s influence in private firms, industry associations and civil society, analyst says.

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The new department is seen as a move to strengthen control over non-public sectors and ensure social stability. Photo: Reuters

Video: China’s Li Qiang shakes off Shanghai Covid chaos to become new premier

National People's Congress (NPC)

Why US is a factor in Xi Jinping’s Communist Party restructuring plans

The reform will give the party’s Central Committee more power over technology and finance, as well as Hong Kong and Macau affairs.

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Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s top office on Hong Kong affairs gets revamp, will report to party chiefs

Xia Baolong, director of the current Hong Kong and Macau Office, will stay on as head of the new body to oversee the transition, sources say.

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Two Sessions 2022

New faces in Beijing after ‘two sessions’ is good news for Hong Kong: analysts

New executive vice-premier in Beijing, Ding Xuexiang, poised to take over oversight role for Hong Kong and Macau.

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New Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang (left) after the closing session of the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE
China’s Communist Party

How does China pick top officials? Beijing mouthpiece sheds new light

The criteria include being 68 or younger and having more than five years of experience in ministerial or provincial leadership roles, according to state media in rare disclosure about nomination and promotion rules.

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China economy

Chinese firms should better integrate into overseas communities, lawmaker urges

NPC deputy Li Dongsheng – founder of electronics giant TCL – is pushing multinationals to embrace globalisation rather than following the current trend toward less interconnectivity.

Two Sessions 2023

As I see it | Mideast plan shows China’s strength but foreign affairs reshuffle intrigues

Observers and diplomats have voiced concerns about some promotions which were major departures from precedents and vaguely established criteria.

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China’s top diplomat Wang Yi (centre) with Ali Shamkhani (right), secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Saudi Arabian national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Two Sessions 2023

Are US sanctions to blame for deadlocked military engagement with China?

Washington shows no sign of lifting long-standing sanctions on China’s new defence minister, observers say.

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General Li Shangfu takes an oath after being elected as state councillor during the National People’s Congress in Beijing. He was also appointed as defence minister. Photo: Kyodo
Li Qiang

Li Qiang launches drive for confidence in China’s private economy

Li pledges support for entrepreneurs and says the country will open further to foreign players.

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Two Sessions 2023

China’s Xi vows ‘peaceful’ Taiwan ties as caution marks tone from Beijing

President Xi Jinping’s pledge to seek ‘peaceful development’ of cross-strait relations seen as part of consistent messaging on Taiwan.

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China’s Communist Party

Chinese premier stays close to home in his first big turn on national stage

Li addresses few international issues in his debut press conference after the close of the national legislature’s annual session.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang Li did not touch on challenging questions such as security or Beijing’s position on the war in Ukraine at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP

Xi Jinping stresses party leadership at closing of NPC

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Communist Party politics

‘Two sessions’: Li Qiang brings ‘down-to-earth’ style as premier

The former governor of Zhejiang expects bureaucrats to get out of the office and find solutions in the grass roots.

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First press conference by China's new No. 2

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