In a departure from custom, China’s top economics official, Premier Li Qiang, will not speak to the media during the nation’s largest yearly political assembly in Beijing. Significant economic headwinds, a decline in government indicator openness, and rising investor and corporate worry have all been present at the outset of the Two Sessions.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s rubber-stamping parliament, will meet almost simultaneously to discuss and approve the ruling Chinese Communist party’s annual policy agenda.
Xi Jinping is surrounded by a number of rows of cheering political leaders. There is speculation about potential changes as China’s parliament meets.
The gatherings are meticulously planned, and the party’s platform and political narrative are strictly adhered to in all public interactions.
In a departure from custom, NPC spokesperson Lou Qinjian announced at a press conference on Monday that Li would not hold a press conference at the conclusion of this meeting or during any of the NPC sessions this term. One of the few chances the foreign press had to interact with the high-ranking official was during the news conferences.
The state council, or China’s cabinet, and the central military commission currently have vacancies, and an agenda released at the same time by official media indicated that no appointments would be made to these positions during the Two Sessions.
Since Qin Gang, the former foreign minister, and Li Shangfu, the former defense minister, were abruptly and inexplicably ousted, creating openings on the state council, there has been much conjecture about their whereabouts. Dong Jun, Li’s replacement as defense minister, might take over in Li’s stead. However, there is no guarantee that Dong or any other new foreign minister would be assigned to the state council, as Wang Yi, Qin’s predecessor, is believed to have returned just briefly.
The dismissal of four senior defense and aerospace officials from the national committee was confirmed by the CPPCC’s top body, according to reports released by state media on Monday morning. The removals, which were declared in December of February, are thought to be a part of a covert, ongoing military purge.
Lou also talked on new espionage law amendments that have alarmed the global business world due to their expansive definitions and prohibitions on the sharing of any information pertaining to “national security.” There have been concerns of heightened risk to international enterprises and their employees in China as a result of law enforcement raids and arrests, including those on due diligence analytical services.
He stated during the press conference on Monday that this was a “misinterpretation of the counter-espionage law” that “denigrated” China and that China remained dedicated to “reform and opening up,” especially in the areas of cooperation and economic interchange.
“It has genuinely improved the definition of espionage activities and clarified the boundary between permissible and illegal acts, based on established international standards. “Normal business operations, research endeavors, or professional interactions are not its targets,” Lou stated. “China will not close its doors to the outside world; they are still open.”
In response to a question concerning China’s defense budget in light of the escalating hostilities in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, the spokeswoman stated that the NPC will evaluate a draft.
According to him, China’s defense spending has increased steadily and sensibly, in keeping with its economic might and level of military prowess. He declared, “China is dedicated to the path of peaceful development.”
Lou played down criticism of China’s increasingly assertive actions in the area, especially in the South China Sea, where it has intensely contested territorial claims. He described China as a helpful neighbor and friend.
Monday is when the CPPCC opens, and Tuesday is when the NPC opens. Everything will be finished by March 11th. The more than 2,000 members of the CPPCC, according to a spokesperson Liu Jieyi, expressed “great concern” over “economic topics” on Sunday.
In addition, he stated that “the employment of young people, especially fresh graduates” was important. As of the end of 2023, the statistics agency had modified its calculation methodologies, putting the official rate of youth unemployment at 15%.
- Select Five Observations from Manchester United Training Ahead of Manchester City Clash
- NCW Chief Slams US Writer David Josef Volodzko for Calling India Unsafe
- International & World News – 3 March 2024
- Skyway 10K 2024: What You Need to Know
- Kentucky Bill Threatens Workers’ Meal and Rest Breaks
- Knicks’ Twitter Ignites as Jalen Brunson’s Injury Spurs Gritty Victory Against 2nd-Seeded Cleveland Cavaliers: Fans Hail Team as ‘Absolute Dawgs
- Nikki Haley beats Donald Trump in Washington DC for first primary victory
- Top Points from SpaceX’s 8th Long-Duration Crew Launch for NASA – Falcon 9
- Leon vs. Tijuana de Caliente: How to Watch Liga MX Clash for Free
- Sydney Sweeney’s Saturday Night Live Debut – Confronting Controversies with Humor
- Kacey Musgraves Lights Up Saturday Night Live
- Internet Trolls Question Justin Bieber’s Madame Tussauds Wax Figure