National People's Congress: What is China's Two Sessions and why does it matter?
BBC News1 day
China's 'Two Sessions' Begin, Set to Approve Five-Year Plan
Is China leading global innovation and transformation or prioritizing authoritarian control over genuine reform?
Above: PLA Band members exit the CPPCC opening session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 4. Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
China's technological breakthroughs and industrial modernization position the nation as a global leader that drives innovation and economic transformation. With the world's largest 5G network, quantum computing advances, maintaining international leadership and AI developments like DeepSeek demonstrating resilience against foreign restrictions, China has achieved decisive progress in core technologies and self-sufficiency. The 15th Five-Year Plan will accelerate this momentum by deploying cutting-edge technologies across industries, creating new employment through AI-driven productivity and attracting global talent to fuel high-quality development.
Anti-China narrative
China's "Two Sessions" reveal an authoritarian system prioritizing political control over genuine economic reform while global concerns mount. The rubber-stamp parliament will approve predetermined policies without meaningful debate, as Xi consolidates power through military purges that have removed over 100 senior officers since 2022. Despite claims of openness, Beijing advances laws curtailing minority language rights and fails to address fundamental economic weaknesses like collapsing consumer confidence and an aging population, instead doubling down on export-dependent growth that floods global markets and escalates trade tensions.
Cynical narrative
With Donald Trump sowing instability through tariffs and conflict, and leaders from Ireland to Canada and Germany turning to Beijing, China has a rare chance to present itself as a steady anchor. Yet as the Two Sessions unfold, slogans about "high-level opening" again outpace action. FDI is sliding, trade imbalances are swelling, and market access reforms lag. Promises to trim the negative list ring hollow without predictability or equal treatment — leaving a leadership void neither the U.S. nor China fills.
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0