"China's National People's Congress Opens Tomorrow... No Press Conference by Premier Li Qiang"

Held for 7 Days Until the 11th

The National People's Congress (NPC), which determines the direction of national governance including China's economic policies, will be held for seven days from the 5th to the 11th of this month. Unlike last year, Premier Li Chang of the State Council of China will not hold a separate press conference after the meeting this year.

Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the NPC, announced this at a preliminary press conference held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 4th. Regarding the NPC schedule, he explained, "The 2nd annual session of the 14th NPC will open on the morning of the 5th and close on the afternoon of the 11th," adding, "The agenda items include ▲government work report ▲plan report ▲budget report ▲proposal from the NPC Standing Committee on the amendment of the Organization Law of the State Council of the People's Republic of China ▲work report of the NPC Standing Committee ▲work report of the Supreme People's Court ▲work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, totaling seven items."

Luo Qinjian, spokesperson of the National People's Congress (center), is answering reporters' questions at a pre-press conference held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 4th. (Photo by Kim Hyunjung)

Spokesperson Lou added, "There are a total of 2,956 deputies in the 14th NPC, and currently 2,897 deputies have registered to attend."

The most anticipated event at the NPC is Premier Li Chang's government work report delivered at the opening ceremony. At this session, China's economic growth target for this year will be revealed for the first time, along with the direction of economic policy implementation and sectoral budgets such as the national defense budget.

However, unlike last year when Premier Li held a press conference as the newly appointed Premier after the meeting, he will not hold a separate press conference this year. Spokesperson Lou stated, "The content of the meeting will be disclosed to the public later, and the press center will respond to foreign journalists' questions through ministerial-level press conferences and leadership meetings of relevant State Council departments."

He added, "Considering all agenda items comprehensively, there will be no Premier's press conference after this year's NPC meeting. Unless there are special circumstances, Premier press conferences after the NPC will not be held for the coming years."