China's Big Political Gathering: What's on the Agenda?

China's big political event is happening this week. This event brings together top leaders and provincial leaders from all over the country. The National People’s Congress is a big deal, even though it's mostly about approving decisions already made by the Chinese Communist Party. The event is a chance for the government to share its plans for the coming year and give instructions to party members and officials. The main message from the leaders seems to be the same as before: keep pushing for new ideas and encourage people to buy more stuff made in China. The big question is how they will balance these two goals and if it will be enough to boost the economy. This year also marks the end of China’s current 5-year plan. Experts are eager to see what the government has in store for the next five years, from 2026 to 2030. The National People’s Congress kicks off with Premier Li Qiang announcing the economic growth target for the year. Analysts expect it to be around 5%. This might seem low, but it's a big challenge considering China is still dealing with a slow real estate market and weak consumer spending. The U. S. has also recently increased tariffs on Chinese goods, which adds to the uncertainty. The government seems focused on boosting domestic demand and promoting innovation in science and technology. There's also talk of more support for private businesses to drive growth. Chinese President Xi Jinping has already met with business leaders, including Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, showing support for the private sector. The Congress is also a chance to see where China’s diplomacy is headed. Li is expected to talk about foreign policy and Taiwan, but more attention will be on Foreign Minister Wang Yi. His press conference will be closely watched to understand China’s stance on U. S. -China relations and the Ukraine war. The National People’s Congress is made up of nearly 3, 000 delegates from all over China. Their role is mostly ceremonial, as the body doesn't have real power to decide on legislation. Any vote is usually unanimous or near-unanimous to formalize decisions already taken by Communist Party leaders behind closed doors. The Congress is a rare opportunity to see what the central government’s priorities and goals are. The reports and speeches during it can give indications of the future direction of government policy. An advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, will meet at the same time. Members include business leaders, athletes, academics, religious leaders and representatives of ethnic groups. The concurrent meetings of the two bodies are known as the Two Sessions.