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The 2024 National People's Congress (NPC) was the Second Plenary Session of the 14th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It was held from 5 March to 11 March 2024, concurrently with the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) as part of the annual Two Sessions. The NPC was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The event was held largely without Covid restrictions for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] On 4 March, The NPC spokesperson Lou Qinjian said Premier Li Qiang won't hold the annual press conferences for the remaining term of China's parliament, which ends in 2027, ending a tradition maintained for three decades.[2]
The session[edit]
In his maiden government work report on 5 March, Premier Li Qiang spent considerable time discussing how to help struggling private players as well as ease the concerns of foreign businesses. He promised the government would settle overdue payments owed to private businesses.[3] The report mentioned that the government would want to make it easier for migrant workers to be able to change their hukous to urban ones, a subject has long been discussed.[4] It also mentioned that China will improve birth policy to support a growing elderly population by raising benefits and basic pensions and pushing forward a private pension system.[5] Li said Hong Kong should continue implementing the governing principles of “One country, two systems” and “patriotic administration”, and added that Beijing would support Hong Kong in developing its economy and improving residents’ livelihood.[6] He attributed a litany of achievements in 2023 to Xi, and called for officials to rally more closely around the Chinese Communist Party with Xi Jinping at its core.[7] Li rattled off the report in 50 minutes, the shortest time since 2001.[8] Xinhua News Agency summarized the highlights of the report, including:[9]
- 2024 GDP growth target: around 5 percent
- Creating over 12 million jobs in urban areas
- Ratio of deficit to GDP: 3 percent
- Special-purpose bonds for local governments: 3.9 trillion yuan
- Issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds
- Launching AI Plus initiative
- Enhancing disruptive and frontier technology research
- Launching year-long program to stimulate consumption
- Investment from central government budget: 700 billion yuan
- Expanding domestic demand
- Ensuring national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises
- Working toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Pursuing higher-standard opening up
- Defusing risks in property, local debt, small and medium-sized financial institutions
- Ensuring both development and security
- Advancing energy revolution
- Opposing "Taiwan independence" and external interference
Xi Jinping,[10] Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended separately deliberations at the second session of the 14th NPC on later that day, [11] 6 March[12] and 7 March.[13] On 7 March, the delegation of deputies from Xinjiang in a group meeting denial persecution of Uyghurs and pledged to continuous opening-up.[14]
On 8 March, the NPC deputies held group meetings to review the work report of the NPCSC.[15] Zhao Leji delivered the report at the second plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC.[16] The report pledged to enact legislation including an emergency management law and atomic energy law, and will revise laws on national defence education and cybersecurity.[17]
References[edit]
- ^ Simone McCarthy; Nectar Gan (2024-03-11). "Tighter control and high-tech push: Key takeaways from China's biggest annual political event". CNN.
- ^ Adrianna Zhang; Wenhao Ma; Bo Gu; Chuang Chih-wei (2024-03-04). "China Watchers: No Premier's Annual Press Conference, No Difference". Voice of America.
- ^ Luna Sun (2024-03-05). "China's 'two sessions' 2024: did Premier Li Qiang's speech move the needle for foreign, private business?". South China Morning Post.
- ^ HUIZHONG WU (2024-03-06). "Economic plans, Taiwan and other things to know from the opening of China's legislature". AP.
- ^ "China's NPC: What you need to know". Reuters. 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Hong Kong should continue 'patriotic' administration, China's no. 2 official Li Qiang says at Two Sessions meeting". Hong Kong Free Press. 2024-03-05.
- ^ Joe Leahy; Ryan McMorrow; Hudson Lockett (2024-03-05). "China sets 'ambitious' 5% growth target and flags risks to economy". Financial Times.
- ^ CHARLIE CAMPBELL (2024-03-07). "'Head in the Sand': Why China's Static 2024 Congress Should Worry Everyone". Time.
- ^ "Highlights of Chinese government work report". Xinhuanet. 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Xi stresses developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions". Xinhuanet. 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Chinese leaders attend deliberations at annual legislative session". China Daily. 2024-03-06.
- ^ "Chinese leaders join NPC deputies, political advisors in deliberation, discussions". People's Daily. 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Chinese leaders attend deliberations at annual legislative session". Xinhuanet. 2024-03-07.
- ^ Chen Jing (2024-03-07). "中共新疆党委书记马兴瑞：不能因恐怖主义分裂主义不开放". Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese (China)).
- ^ "Advisory: Schedules for China's "two sessions" on March 8". Xinhuanet. 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Chinese lawmakers deliberate work report of NPC Standing Committee". Xinhuanet. 2024-03-08.
- ^ Joe Cash; Laurie Chen (2024-03-08). "China's top legislators pledge to safeguard sovereignty, security interests". Reuters.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- "REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT (2024)" (PDF). NPC Observer.
