Taipei, Taiwan – China's “Two Sessions” will open in Beijing on Monday with meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
The event brings together China's political elite as well as leaders from business, technology, media and the arts.
The simultaneous meetings, known as Lianghui in Chinese, have become a regular feature of China's legislative agenda and will be held for about two weeks.
During this period, lawmakers approve new laws, political appointments, and government work reports detailing the progress of various departments such as the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission.
What are the key trends to watch?
During two sessions last year, delegates formally approved Xi Jinping's unprecedented third term as president.
This year's event is likely to be dominated by China's economy, which is suffering from slowing growth, deflation, high debt and declining exports.
One of the most important events to watch will be Premier Li Qiang's presentation of the annual work report, which will review the government's performance and set goals for 2024.
Mr Li has set an economic growth target of around 5% for 2024 and is expected to discuss key issues ranging from China's declining birth rate to the future of technology and artificial intelligence regulation.
Some important appointments are also likely to be made.
In the past year, 11 members of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (a 175-member standing committee of the legislature) have been dismissed, including Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Defense Minister Li Shangfu.
Those removed had ties to the military, including the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles.
What is the difference between the two sessions?
Although both the National People's Congress and the CPPCC are state institutions in China and are technically independent from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), much of their work is directed by the CCP.
On paper, the National People's Congress is officially China's highest legislative body, consisting of about 3,000 members representing the country's provinces, autonomous regions, major cities, the People's Liberation Army, and the People's Armed Police. The National People's Congress also has representatives representing the autonomy of Taiwan, which is claimed by the Chinese Communist Party even though the Chinese government has never controlled the island.
During the National People's Congress, delegates review progress on policy goals and vote on approval of new laws and appointments of senior politicians, but in practice most delegates have little political power.
The NPC Standing Committee convenes regularly between legislative sessions and is therefore widely considered to be more powerful in practice than the legislature, although it is formally subordinate to it.
“The National People's Congress is not a parliament in the sense of a democratic parliament whose representatives are elected through fair elections. Its members are elected by a minority of Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party.'' Adam Nee, co-editor of the newsletter, told Al Jazeera.
“That means NPC members are at least acceptable to the party.”
With over 2,000 delegates from all over China and the diaspora meeting simultaneously, the CPPCC is a political advisory body that functions as a public relations agency.
Although the delegates are not necessarily members of the Chinese Communist Party, the conference is part of a “united front” effort to expand China's influence by bringing various actors together for a common purpose.
CPPCC representatives include technology, arts and media leaders, as well as leaders from the semi-autonomous Hong Kong and Macau.
“The CPP serves several functions, such as facilitating elite networking and directing policy advice from outside the party to the party-state. “It provides access and approval to the system through the granting of ships, while the elites sitting in that organization have access to policy makers and approval.”
Is the National People's Congress just a “rubber stamp” parliament?
The National People's Congress is often referred to as a “rubber-stamp” parliament or legislature because its main role is to formally approve predetermined decisions, with little overt debate.
China watchers say the National People's Congress should continue to be closely watched.
It may incorporate limited general opinion on issues considered to be less sensitive, and may occasionally express opposing views.
Most famously, in 1992 one-third of delegates voted against or abstained from approving the Three Gorges Dam, a controversial project to dam the Yangtze River.
“People call the NPC a “rubber stamp'' because it has never rejected any bill, work report, budget, or nomination submitted. An overly narrow focus on the issue ignores the important role played by thousands of National People's Congress delegates in representing citizens' interests on a variety of politically sensitive issues. That's my opinion,” said Zhanghao Wei, a fellow at Yale Law School. The school's Paul Tsai China Center told Al Jazeera.
Although representatives cannot be heard arguing on the floor, individual representatives and bodies such as the National People's Congress Standing Committee can shape legislation during drafting and provide input on issues such as the national budget. I can do it.
Delegates can also submit individual bills calling on the National People's Congress to act on important issues of the day.
In 2022, in response to public outrage over the case of a trafficked woman with mental health issues who was found chained by her husband, representatives called on women's rights and domestic violence He has introduced several bills focused on
Although these bills were not discussed publicly, Wei said they probably did not receive any attention within the government either.
Nee said that while the CPP maintains a tight grip on power, the party is not monolithic and “includes numerous interest groups and networks.”
“The legislative process also involves nonpartisan groups and officials,” Nee said.
“We should not discount activists such as women's rights defenders or environmentalists because of their potential for influence. However, the influence and power of individuals and groups outside political parties It is constrained by a political structure in which political parties monopolize the instruments of state power.”