© Reuters. A soldier stands guard before the Third Plenary Session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, March 10, 2023. Mark R. Cristino/Pool via REUTERS
By Laurie Chen
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s official parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), wraps up on Monday, capping what is expected to be the biggest government shakeup in a decade after setting a modest target for annual economic growth.
The coming months after President Xi Jinping secured a third term as rule-breaking supreme leader, the sessions will further consolidate his authority and outline key government policy goals.
Here are the key details and issues to look for:
WHAT IS THE NPC?
The 3,000-member NPC is China’s national legislature and, in principle, the most powerful state body under the Chinese constitution, though in practice the ruling Communist Party wields more power.
In addition to meeting annually to deliberate on legislation and appoint government personnel, it oversees the State Council, China’s cabinet.
Its highest body, the approximately 170-member NPC Standing Committee, meets more frequently to pass laws. The Standing Committee also has the power to amend Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law.
NPC meetings overlap with those of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a political advisory body. Together, the annual meetings are known as lianghui, or “Two Sessions,” and generally last between one and two weeks.
WHAT GOVERNMENT POSITIONS WILL BE FILLED?
In the biggest personnel change, Li Qiang is about to be confirmed as prime minister after taking second place to Xi when the new seven-member Politburo Standing Committee was revealed at the ruling Communist Party’s October congress.
Li will make his public debut during a televised press conference on the last day of the session, where he will answer questions sent to him in advance.
Several top economic jobs will go to a new crop of Xi loyalists, many with little exposure abroad, replacing an older generation of officials seen as more reform-minded.
Xi’s right-hand man He Lifeng is expected to become vice premier overseeing the economic portfolio, while top state bank official Zhu Hexin is likely to replace Harvard-educated Yi Gang as central bank governor. sources told Reuters.
The NPC will also appoint top government officials, including the vice president, the NPC president, deputy prime ministers, state councillors, the president of the Supreme Court, and ministers.
Xi himself will be confirmed in his third presidential term.
WHAT KEY POLICY ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE?
China has set a modest target for economic growth this year of around 5%, lower than many analysts had expected.
He will boost defense spending by 7.2% this year, slightly exceeding last year’s increase, and has promised “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, as well as determined moves to oppose Taiwan’s independence.
China’s science and technology policies should aim to build the country’s strength and self-reliance, while coal will remain key to energy security.
The country will hedge against risks among property developers while deepening financial reform and opening up further to foreign investment.
AND THE REORGANIZATIONS?
China has unveiled plans for a radical reshuffle of the central government, including the formation of a financial regulator and a national data office, and a revamp of its science and technology ministry.
A new national financial regulatory administration will replace the current banking watchdog and bring supervision of the industry, as well as the securities sector, to a body directly under the State Council, or cabinet.
A new national data office will be responsible for coordinating the sharing and development of data resources, as well as planning for the digital economy and promoting initiatives. It will be supervised by the National Development and Reform Commission, or the state planner.
WHO ATTENDS?
This year, 2,977 delegates from across the country have been chosen to attend the NPC and are “broadly representative” of the society, the state news agency Xinhua reported.
Each region at the provincial level is represented by a delegation, as are Hong Kong, autonomous Taiwan and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
According to Xinhua, 26.5% of the delegates are women, a slight increase from last year, and around 15% are ethnic minorities, many of whom will stand out in traditional attire amid the sea of dark-suited delegates. gathered in the cavernous Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square.