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Two Sessions 2025 (Lianghui)

Two Sessions 2025 (Lianghui)
“Two Sessions” refers to China's annual parliamentary meetings, where the nation's two main political bodies - 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.
2024
Two Sessions 2024 (Lianghui)
2023
Two Sessions 2023 (Lianghui)
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US-China relations

Open Questions | Ex-diplomat Kerry Brown on how Trump ‘stunned’ China with his ‘lack of caution’

King’s College, London professor says he ‘cannot think of a worse tactic’ than threatening Beijing and presenting ‘zero-sum’ options.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Trump’s trade war may spur China’s ascent

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong says city remains ‘safest’ in ‘chaotic world’

China society

Opinion | China’s economic successes are reshaping the Western media narrative

Beijing’s economic strategy, technological prowess and climate policies are prompting a reassessment of the country’s media profile.

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A journalist asks a question at a press conference attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 7. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

Open Questions | Beyond US-China, imbalances are igniting trade disputes

Finance professor Michael Pettis on how a rebalancing of China’s economy could put more money into households to drive consumption.

China economy

Foreign business leaders go to Beijing

Foreign business leaders will converge on Beijing for the annual China Development Conference, which begins on Saturday. An elite gathering with President Xi may be on the cards for some of them.

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China's economic recovery

China’s Xi Jinping calls for economic transition on Guizhou visit

On his first inspection tour since the national legislative session, China’s president said the relatively underdeveloped province should build ties with other regions.

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President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Guizhou province, one of China’s poorest regions. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Opinion | What was unsaid at China’s ‘two sessions’ and why it matters

Having recognised the limits of its economic model, Beijing is attempting a recalibration that will be highly consequential for its competition with the US.

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China economy

Opinion | China knows economic challenges lie ahead. Is it ready for them?

Beijing has withstood external pressures for decades but without strong domestic demand, those pressures are increasingly harder to surmount.

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China economy

Opinion | Adhering to reforms can help Beijing pop ‘Peak China’ bubble

To see off scepticism about China’s growth potential, the government’s latest reform push must be effective and make good on its promises.

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An employee works on a car assembly line at a factory of FAW-Volkswagen company in Qingdao, in eastern Shandong province, on March 12. Photo: AFP
China economy

‘Two sessions’ webinar

Watch a recording of a webinar co-hosted by the SCMP and the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis on takeaways from the annual ‘two sessions’.

The closing meeting of the third session of the 14th national People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

China’s central bank to create ‘more tools’ to shore up economy

The bank also pledged to cut interest rates and keep the yuan stable amid an uncertain global outlook.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Can Trump and China’s divergent visions finally settle age-old economic debate?

Beyond political and other concerns, the US and Chinese approaches to their economies have intellectual roots stretching back centuries.

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China's economic recovery

Is China’s ‘death tax’ at the door? Lawmakers have wealth redistribution in mind

Unlike many Western countries, China does not have estate and gift taxes, but that could change as a controversial motion is considered.

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China’s National People’s Congress may consider a long-discussed inheritance tax, also known as a “death tax”, as officials set their sights on policies that shore up the economy. Photo: Shutterstock
China economy

Open Questions | Tech boost is no panacea for fixing China’s economic ills, Morgan Stanley economist says

Robin Xing, Morgan Stanley’s chief China economist, says the revival of animal spirits spurred by DeepSeek must be supported by broader consumption measures and social welfare reforms.

Tech-driven optimism on China won’t fix economic ills, Morgan Stanley economist says
China economy

‘Two sessions’ 2025

China’s Premier Li Qiang set China’s 2025 GDP target at ‘around 5 per cent’ and raised its debt-to-GDP target in his government work report. We compare national and local growth targets, look at spending by sector and the trend in government debt.

China's economic recovery

‘Work quickly’: China’s Premier Li puts government officials on notice

After ‘two sessions’, State Council passes work plan that clarifies division of tasks among departments, emphasising interdepartmental coordination.

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Mainland China

Editorial | Opportunities knock for Hong Kong with role in national development

City’s unique strengths mean it can take lead on international cooperation and exchanges while also benefiting from Beijing’s economic moves.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, attends the Hong Kong delegation group meeting at The Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress of China in Beijing on March 7. Photo: EPA-EFE
China’s Communist Party

China’s No 3 returns to public spotlight after missing end of ‘two sessions’

The chairman of the National People’s Congress skipped its closing ceremony this week due to a respiratory tract infection.

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China economy

Absence of China’s No 3 official the biggest surprise at ‘two sessions’

Illness kept NPC Chairman Zhao Leji away from his duties at the close of the legislative meeting. Also missing: passage of the draft private economy promotion law.

China’s Communist Party

China urged to prepare students for challenges of AI and ageing population

At ‘two sessions’, Chinese lawmakers and political advisers call for changes to education system to ‘solve future problems’.

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Some lawmakers warn that China’s universities do not offer enough specialised medical programmes focused on treating the elderly. Photo: Peking University
SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2025: everything you need to know

From plans to spend more to boost growth to a missing top official, here are some highlights from our coverage of China’s biggest annual political event.

A screen at a shopping centre in Beijing shows Premier Li Qiang speaking during the opening of the annual session of China’s top legislature on Wednesday. Photo: Robert Ng
Global South

Opinion | How the Global South can rise above the fray as the West fractures

Countries must seize this moment to promote an open, inclusive world order grounded in common interests and mutual respect.

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China’s private sector

What’s the next step for China’s proposed private sector promotion law?

The proposed law, not passed at this year’s legislative session, is seen as an indicator of Beijing’s commitment to improving the business environment.

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong NPC deputies propose scheme to help mainland talent buy flats easily

City’s representatives to China’s top legislature submit proposal that would allow mainlanders to buy properties through direct remittance.

Chinese president Xi Jinping attends the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11. Photo: AFP

Video | China’s No 3 official missing as ‘two sessions’ closes

China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji absent as ‘two sessions’ parliamentary meeting closes
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China economy

Webinar | ‘Two sessions’ 2025 key takeaways: insights into China’s economic strategy

SCMP and Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis co-host a webinar to discuss key developments from the annual ‘two sessions’.

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Xi Jinping

Why was China’s No 3 official Zhao Leji missing at the end of ‘two sessions’?

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and former corruption body secretary was last seen in public on Saturday.

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