The annual gathering of the National People’s Political Consultative Conference (NPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded in Beijing last week. The NPPCC is an advisory body made up of delegates from various sectors of society who gather to praise the work of the Party and government and offer suggestions for future legislation (most of which rarely goes anywhere). The National People’s Congress is often referred to as China’s parliament. According to the Constitution it is the supreme lawmaking body; in reality, it meets for only two weeks a year to approve the government work reports and decisions that have already been made by the Communist Party.
As I wrote in a post in 2016, I once had a professor explain to me the relationship between the Party, the NPC, and the NPPCC by means of a popular ditty that described what each does with their hands:
共产党动手 The Communist Party extends its hands (does the work).
人大举手 The Congress raises its hands (approves the work).
政协拍手 The Consultative Conference claps its hands (praises the work).
The full text of Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report can be read here. Grab something to drink; it’s a long one!
This also marked the last time for Premier Li Keqiang to deliver the work report; his term as premier will be over in March 2023.
The NPC Observer has curated all the NPC documents in one place. You can access them here. Most are only in Chinese, but a few have been translated.
Here is a roundup of some of the reporting and analysis of the meetings:
‘Two sessions’ 2022: self-reliance highlighted as China’s top economic priority amid turbulent geopolitical times (March 6, 2022, South China Morning Post)
The policy proposals focus on economic self-reliance.
China lawmakers have West’s decline on their minds at ‘two sessions’ (March 9, 2022, South China Morning Post)
The issues on the table at the Congress aren’t just domestic; they are keeping an eye on world events as well.
The Most Controversial Proposals from this Year’s “Two Sessions” (March 11, 2022, The World of Chinese)
Every year there are a host of proposals put forth by the delegates. Most don’t go anywhere. They are interesting, nonetheless.
Decoding the policy messages from China’s National People’s Congress (March 14, Investor’s Corner)
A good summary of the policy decisions and their potential economic impact.
China’s Legislative Session Focuses on Stability, Bolsters Xi’s Position Ahead of Major CCP Gathering (March 16, Heritage Foundation)
This article notes that the overriding theme of the congress was to smooth the way for Party General Secretary Xi Jinping to be given a third term later this year.
And here’s a podcast that provides a great overview, Two Sessions at a Turning Point (National Committee on US-China Relationships)
Finally, China Daily has a special section on the Congress. Everything you wanted to know; and more!
Until next year . . .
Image credit: Danny Pang, via Flickr.
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
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