China to unveil priorities for coming 5 years at major annual political meeting - AP explains

Описание: (4 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 4 March 2026
++STARTS ON SOUNDBITE++
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Huizhong Wu, The Associated Press:
“I'm here in Beijing in front of the Great Hall of the People, where the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference just held their opening ceremony. That is an advisory body to the legislature known as the National People's Congress. These two bodies are meeting in Beijing this week. Now, we are here because we want to see what policies and laws China will unveil for the coming year. We are expecting a five-year economic blueprint called the Five-Year Plan that will be ratified by the ceremonial legislature. And we will also be on the watchout for some policy changes with regard to boosting consumption or increasing social welfare benefits. Now, these two sessions are known for, well, they were once known as a site of discussion for policy debate. But these days, that space has shrunk under President Xi Jinping's consolidated control. However, it's still important to watch these sessions to see where China will be headed this year.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 4 March 2026
2. Wide of the press conference of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC)
3. Mid of reporters at the press conference

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 2 February 2026
4. Various of coffee shop owner Lu Hui making a cup of coffee in her shop

STORYLINE:
China's top political advisory body opened its annual session on Wednesday with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

As part of China's annual “Two Sessions” meeting, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is an advisory body composed of elite members of Chinese society, from businessmen to athletes.

They also include representatives from China's minority groups, but the body has little power on issues of public policy.

The roughly 2,000-member CPPCC session will be followed by the larger National People's Congress (NPC) starting Thursday, where the country will unveil its policy direction and economic goals for the coming years.

This year, observers are waiting for details for the 15th five-year plan, of which the government had revealed a draft in October.

It is expected to be focused on building tech prowess and self-sufficiency.

China issues five-year plans to direct its economy, a legacy of its historical approach when it had a planned economy.

AP video shot by Borg Wong

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