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Two Sessions 2026 (Lianghui)

Two Sessions 2026 (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.
2025
Two Sessions 2025 (Lianghui)
2024
Two Sessions 2024 (Lianghui)
Lan Foan, China’s finance minister, attends a news conference in 2025. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China economy

Draft budget report 2026

The Ministry of Finance released its draft 2026 budget plan, featuring a 7 per cent increase in defence spending.

China economy

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

China economy

Government work report 2026

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound with Asian peers as “two sessions” opens in China

South Korea’s Kospi leads Asia-Pacific gains, jumping 11 per cent to recover nearly all of its record 12 per cent drop.

Hong Kong stocks staged a rebound on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

Taiwan, trade war, PLA and AI: Li Qiang lays out priorities at ‘two sessions’

China’s premier pledges to champion ‘orderly’ multipolarism and ‘inclusive’ globalisation.

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Science

‘Two sessions’, two paths: China prioritises AI integration amid US tech rivalry

Beijing’s open-source push in focus ahead of annual legislative meeting and coming five-year plan, as Washington chooses different approach.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tycoons say Middle East outlook remains promising despite conflict

New World scion Adrian Cheng highlights city’s status as safe haven for capital; K Wah’s Francis Lui says property and stocks holding firm.

Iran has launched retaliatory strikes at targets in Dubai. AFP
United States

China vows to boost economy ahead of ‘two sessions’ and Trump visit

Beijing sees self-reliant tech growth as vital to innovation, spokesman for top legislature says, noting country will safeguard ‘red lines’.

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China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

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CATL

China’s EV battery leader CATL to step up use of AI in R&D: founder

Billionaire Robin Zeng Yuqun promises higher investment, touts ‘resilient supply chain and ecosystem’ driving export growth.

A CATL battery design is displayed at an automotive trade show in Munich on September 5, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

Stagflation risk emerges amid Mideast oil crisis, clouds China’s economic battle

While rising energy costs from war in Iran may briefly aid China’s deflation battle, analysts warn how oil price spike could threaten nation’s fragile economic rebound.

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A worker fills up a car at a petrol station in China’s Shandong province. A prominent economist said rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions could lead to stagflation in China. Photo: Getty Images
China technology

China’s tech leaders urge faster AI, robot adoption in ‘two sessions’ proposals

Tech leaders advocate for rapid AI and robotics growth, calling for policy support to boost industrial use and computing infrastructure.

Biomedicine: Companies

Healthcare investors looking to ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing

Healthcare and insurance sectors will see policy fine-tuning, ‘moral support’ rather than ‘groundbreaking news’ from Beijing, analysts say.

China property

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

China signals shift from debt-driven housing growth, but sweeping stimulus seen as unlikely.

Calls to ‘accelerate the development of a new model for real estate’ have featured prominently in government work reports. Pnoto: AFP
US-Iran tensions

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

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The Iran crisis is most likely to be discussed with other conflicts such as the Ukraine war rather than be singled out for special mention at this year’s “two sessions”. Photo: EPA
IPO

HSBC chairman floats ‘IPO connect’ for Hong Kong, Shenzhen listings

Modelled on Stock Connect, the proposal would give investors in the Greater Bay Area cross-border access to new share listings.

China military reform

Language as a weapon? PLA academics seek training overhaul, cite Ukraine war

Digitised battlefields demand new breed of soldier, as skilled at data analysis and psy-ops as at wielding a weapon, veteran instructor says.

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Hong Kong politics

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Delegates at the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Photo: AFP
Yuan

How China is using its economic clout to give the US dollar a run for its money

Beijing is using economic clout to reshape its global financial influence – a strategy analysts say could play out over decades.

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Mainland China

Chinese officials, car executives may discuss capping EV output

As China’s EV industry faces slowing growth, officials may discuss capping output and boosting tech innovation to combat price wars.

China energy security

How China is using a massive ‘electron gap’ to pivot the AI race with US

Ex-finance official Zhu Guangyao says abundant energy supply gives the nation a critical edge in AI, as ‘electricity is computing power’.

As AI development triggers an explosion in global electricity demand, China’s vast energy buildout is seen as a strategic advantage. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s private sector

How China could untangle its private firms’ complex debt burdens

As private businesses grapple with cash flow challenges, entrepreneurs say they want the settling of outstanding debts to be made a priority.

Workers install insulation on a residential building under construction in Beijing in December. Photo: AP
China’s Communist Party

Opinion | Now is the time for China to show it’s serious about opening up

The ‘two sessions’ is Beijing’s chance to demonstrate reliability as nations reassess their ties with China and the US in an increasingly fragmented global order.

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China technology

How China could narrow a tech hub’s income gap – and avoid Silicon Valley’s fate

As tech mecca Zhejiang province sees wealth soar on the back of robotics, gaming and AI, Beijing hopes to avert a wide income disparity.

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China consumption

China’s pivot from GDP obsession sparks cadre confusion, tests local governance

Governors and mayors must reconcile Beijing’s people-centric mandates with traditional growth targets, navigating vague appraisal changes and performance concepts.

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A vendor sits at the doorway to her store in Beijing on February 18. China’s leadership is pivoting towards people-centric, consumption-led economic growth. Photo: Getty Images
China GDP

China’s leaders outline economic focus ahead of ‘two sessions’ – what to expect

Top officials met ahead of Beijing’s annual legislative sessions, when this year’s growth target and five-year plan will be unveiled.

Beijing is gearing up for the “two sessions”, the annual legislative meetings of China’s two main political bodies – the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Photo: EPA-EFE
China economy

China’s February Politburo readout

SCMP Plus annotates the official report on the February meeting of China’s top decision-making body, as leaders prepare for the annual legislative meetings known as the “two sessions”.

China’s Communist Party

‘Two sessions’, Trump tariffs, JD.com earnings

This week: Lawmakers ready for China’s ‘two sessions’, Trump imposes new global tariffs, Germany’s Merz meets Xi. Next week: JD.com reports earnings, toughened trade measures kick in, manufacturing PMI comes outs, Honor debuts robot, and more.

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