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China will be holding its two-week long “Two Sessions” or lianghui gathering, beginning on Mar. 4.

It is known as two sessions as there will be two major political meetings by the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

This annual political event brings together the top political bodies and legislature in China, and will see over thousands of delegates convening in Beijing.

In addition, this year’s “Two Sessions” will be the first one of a new five-year term of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The meetings will provide an opportunity for major policy announcements as well as the review of past policies, and is expected to further consolidate Xi Jinping's position as China's top leader.

What are the two bodies?

CPPCC will be kicking off the meeting on Saturday (Mar. 4) and Xi, China's President, is expected to deliver an opening speech, according to The Guardian.

The advisory body consists of approximately 2,200 members from various political parties, ethnic minority groups, and a number of sectors like sports and business.

However, it does not have legislative power, unlike the NPC. The NPC will begin its session on Sunday (Mar. 5).

It has nearly 3,000 deputies, making it the largest legislative body in the world, though described by some as a “rubber stamp” parliament as policy is decided by party leaders prior to the session.

What to expect

1. Xi Jinping

According to Reuters, the political meetings would likely cement China’s President Xi Jinping’s control over the country and formalise Xi's unprecedented third term as the general secretary of the CCP.

His regime has faced several hiccups since the 20th Party Congress in October 2022, from the abrupt ending of the zero-Covid policy and a wave of Covid-related deaths, to strained relations with the U.S. over the downing of a "spy" balloon.

Nevertheless, the sessions are expected to stick to an ongoing theme of Xi’s power consolidation, The Guardian reported.

2. New Premier

Li Qiang, a former party chief in Shanghai, is poised to be formally elected as China’s new Premier, taking over his predecessor Li Keqiang.

He would be the first premier in three decades to not have experience working in the central government of China.

According to CNN, he will be formally endorsed during the Congress meeting, along with three other key officials nominated to manage China's economy, the second largest in the world.

3. Economy

Beijing is likely to shift its priority to economic growth in light of the country's reopening. after its reversal of its zero-Covid policy.

According to a UBS economist cited by the Financial Times (FT), officials may set a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of between 5 to 5.5 per cent.

Due to stringent pandemic restrictions pre-December 2022 and crackdowns on property and technology industries, China’s GDP last year reportedly increased only by three per cent, short of the official target of 5.5 per cent.

World watching closely

According to Associate Professor Alfred Wu from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), the political event is likely a continuation of the 20th Party Congress.

It will also focus on security and restructuring within the Chinese government, Wu noted.

China watchers will be paying close attention to the Party's plans for the future, as well as looking out for potential insights into U.S.-China relations and Taiwan.

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Top images via Getty Images - Shen Hong/Xinhua