Delve into China's Two Sessions of 2024 discussing economic goals, cancellation of Prime Minister's press conference, emphasis on high-quality growth and tech self-reliance. Explore leadership succession and power struggles in Chinese politics, with a focus on foreign policy strategies and relationships with Russia.
The Two Sessions in China serve as a platform for signaling new policy directions rather than extensive policy discussion, indicating a ritual of legitimacy within the political system.
China's economic focus during the Two Sessions includes an ambitious GDP growth target, stimulus measures like a $1 trillion national bond issue, and an emphasis on boosting productivity in high-tech and manufacturing sectors.
Deep dives
Significance of China's Two Sessions
The annual two sessions in China, comprising the National People's Congress and the consultative Congress, serve as a platform for signaling new policy directions rather than extensive policy discussion. Through these meetings, signals about upcoming policy shifts are conveyed, indicating a ritual of legitimacy within the broader political system.
Economic Goals and Policies of China's Two Sessions
China's economic focus during the two sessions includes an ambitious GDP growth target of around 5%, significant stimulus measures such as a $1 trillion national bond issue, and a central emphasis on boosting productivity in high-tech and manufacturing sectors. Despite modest consumer-oriented measures like EV tax credits, the overall tone suggests a preference for production-centric economic strategies over extensive stimulus.
Future Foreign Policy Considerations
Amid continuity in China's foreign policy, a notable introduction is the Global Civilization Initiative, signaling a shift towards emphasizing Chinese civilization's historical influence and its global standing. This initiative, viewed as a response to Western universal values, poses potential challenges in defining China's civilizational boundaries and interactions with foreign powers. The emphasis on self-reliance and technological advancements underscores China's strategic priorities, while signaling shifts in international commerce approaches and cultural diplomacy.
The annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as the “Two Sessions” (“Lianghui”), feature the gathering of political leaders in Beijing each spring to announce plans and goals for the coming year. In 2024, faced with concerns over stalling economic growth, increased tension in the South China Sea, and elections in Taiwan and the United States, the Two Sessions has been in the spotlight for both international and domestic audiences. What are the key implications of the 2024 Two Sessions for the state and trajectory of U.S.-China relations?
In an interview conducted on March 14, 2024, Jessica Teets and Jack Zhang discuss the implications of the 2024 Two Sessions for China’s economy, politics, and foreign policy with Mary Gallagher.