China's largest annual political event, the "Two Sessions" (Lianghui), marking the official launch of President Xi Jinping's third term, will open on the 4th.
The meeting of the advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will commence in the afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, followed by the National People's Congress (NPC) session, the country's legislature, on the morning of the 5th.
This year's Two Sessions will confirm senior government appointments centered around the party leadership selected at last year's 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Party Congress). President Xi, who was appointed General Secretary of the Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission at the Party Congress, is expected to be re-elected as State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission during the Two Sessions, reaffirming his position as the sole leader controlling the Party, government, and military.
The second-in-command is expected to be Li Chang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee ranked second in the Party hierarchy after Premier Li Keqiang. The vice premiers are likely to be Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Liu Guozhong, and Zhang Guoqing. There is speculation that Han Zheng, who stepped down from the Politburo Standing Committee, will assume the newly appointed position of Vice President. The Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and the CPPCC Chairman are expected to be Zhao Leji and Wang Huning, ranked third and fourth in the Party hierarchy, respectively.
The Party and government reshuffle is expected to strengthen the Party's control over state affairs. Responsibilities related to Hong Kong, previously handled by the State Council, are likely to be transferred to the Party to tighten control.
There is also discussion about establishing a Party-affiliated "Central Internal Affairs Commission." This commission would oversee the Ministry of Public Security within the State Council, responsible for public security, and the Ministry of State Security, the intelligence agency, managing public security, judiciary, counter-terrorism, counter-espionage, and social management.
The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, directly under the State Council, is expected to be integrated into the Party's Central Propaganda Department. Additionally, the revival of the Central Financial Work Commission, overseeing the central bank and the banking and insurance regulatory commission, is also anticipated.
The most anticipated economic growth target for this year is expected to be set at around 5 to 6%. Most local governments' targets are also in the 4 to 6% range. Last year, China's economic growth rate was only 3.0%, well below the target of 5.5%.
Alongside this, detailed economic policies such as expanding domestic demand, modernizing the industrial system, parallel development of state-owned and private economies, efficient fiscal policies, and increased foreign investment attraction are expected to be disclosed through the work report.
A press conference where the newly appointed Premier and Foreign Minister will meet domestic and international journalists for the first time is also scheduled. Foreign Minister Qin Gang is expected to outline this year's diplomatic policy amid US-China strategic competition and the Ukraine crisis during the press conference on the 7th.
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