BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Around 2,100 members will attend the annual session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, which is set to open on Tuesday. This session and the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, form the "two sessions" of the country, making headlines every year.
The CPPCC serves as a significant mechanism for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It aims to promote socialist democracy and the practice of whole-process people's democracy, bringing together various political parties, prominent individuals, and representatives from all ethnic groups and segments of society.
The significance of these meetings cannot be understated as they are instrumental in shaping national political priorities and discussions around pressing socio-economic issues. Members of the CPPCC are drawn from diverse fields including literature, arts, science, technology, and economics, all carefully selected through extensive consultations. The inclusion of sectors, such as the newly formed environment and resources group established last year, reflects the state's focus on promoting green transformation.
During the annual session, national political advisors engage with the government to provide feedback and propose solutions based on thorough peer consultations. These proposals, once formally documented, must be addressed regardless of their adoption. Given the current political climate and rising expectations, the national advisors’ feedback is anticipated to align closely with the governmental policy framework.
Looking forward to the NPC session starting on March 5, political experts are particularly interested to see how the discussed themes from the CPPCC will interplay with the legislative agenda. Nis Grünberg notes five areas flagged by the CPC for special attention: strengthening party-state capitalism, focusing on self-reliance, fostering innovation, reforming the tax system, and ensuring loyalty to Xi and the CPC.
These themes, highlighted during the Third Plenary Session, represent not just immediate policy goals, but also long-term strategic objectives. The expected economic growth target for 2025 is again pegged at around five percent, emphasizing Beijing's cautious yet steady approach to economic stability. The NPC will function as both a legislative body and as a platform for deliberation on foundational laws central to implementing the CPC's long-term goals.
First and foremost, advancing party-state capitalism will be at the forefront of discussions. Recent dialogues between Xi Jinping and business leaders indicate the government's intent to keep China's economic engine functional by embracing the private sector’s role, albeit tightly regulated under state ambitions. Understanding this delicate balance seems to be one of Beijing’s aims, as they continue to steer economic policy toward prioritizing state-owned enterprises.
The Plenary made it clear: advancements toward “Chinese socialist modernization” will seed economic strategies, where the public sector will remain foundational and private companies will be expected to operate within the confines of CPC objectives. The metaphor of "bird cages" captures this essence, as tighter controls are seen impeding the free market spirit, thereby blurring lines between distinct economic ownership categories.
Another key strategic area is China's response to U.S. containment through supply-chain resilience. The latest themes demand complete Chinese control over sensitive technologies, underscoring the importance of local manufacturing, which the government deems necessary for the economy to thrive amid global tensions. The narrative posits increased local production capabilities as integral to the nation’s independence and security.
The focus on talent and innovative growth is another cornerstone expected to emerge from deliberations. Beijing aims to align higher education with national priorities, propelling the nation forward by leveraging both domestic and global talent to support science and technology advancements. Minister Yin Hejun has emphasized this approach, advocating for state-led initiatives to nurture scientific breakthroughs.
Tackling the fiscal system is another topic likely to dominate the agenda. Local governments, previously reliant on dwindling land sales and stamp duties for revenue, are experiencing acute fiscal challenges. NPC delegates will push for reforms aimed at redistributing tax revenues more equitably and enhancing local government financial capabilities, all of which is fundamentally tied to overarching state strategies for social spending and innovation.
Lastly, ensuring the loyalty of citizens to the CPC is touted as not just necessary for stability but also framed as integral to the nation’s national security. The CPPCC, under the leadership of Wang Huning, is emphasizing collective unity and loyalty as foundations for enjoying the benefits of growth and society's modernization.
These sessions reflect Xi Jinping's intent to tighten the grip on social governance by embedding party rule within every aspect of public and economic life. The grid management system, dividing local areas and employing local security forces, symbolizes the commitment to maintaining order and promoting civic duty under the party’s watchful eye.
Long-term goals discussed during the NPC and CPPCC sessions will likely guide the projections for China’s future development, resisting reactive measures to external pressures, as highlighted by recent geopolitical shifts. The CPC harbors aspirations of securing China’s rise as a global power through systemic resilience against economic and strategic adversaries.
Attendees will carry the weight of formulating national policy as discussions evolve, and their deliberations will lay the groundwork for the government's strategic objectives throughout 2025 and beyond. The political climate will be undeniably shaped by this year's discussions, underpinning China's ambition for stability and growth within its increasingly assertive political framework.