The annual “Two Sessions” held in China are regarded as one of the most important occasions for national policy making. These meetings not only review the country’s past performance but also determine the direction for the years ahead. This year’s sessions are taking place at a particularly significant time as China enters the initial phase of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), further increasing their importance.
The annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are currently being held in Beijing. During these sessions, lawmakers will deliberate on the central government’s annual performance report, review the budget and development plan for 2026, and discuss the draft outline of the new five-year plan, which will provide the foundation for policy priorities through 2030.
This year’s legislative agenda is also quite comprehensive. Three major draft laws related to environmental protection, ethnic unity, and national development planning will be considered. Reports on the performance of various state institutions will also be presented, while officials from relevant departments will address the media through press conferences to clarify matters related to the economy, social policy, and foreign affairs.
Within China’s governance system, five-year plans serve as strategic frameworks for economic and social development. The preparation of the 15th Five-Year Plan essentially defines the future direction of fiscal policy, industrial transformation, and social progress.
At the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China’s economy surpassed 140 trillion yuan in 2025. International observers have noted that several key targets—including economic growth, labor productivity, spending on research and development, the proportion of the urban population, and life expectancy—have either been achieved or exceeded overall.
However, global challenges such as trade tensions, geopolitical pressures, and slower worldwide economic growth remain significant concerns. Domestically, structural issues and the race for emerging technologies also require new strategic responses. Against this backdrop, the new plan is expected to emerge not merely as a list of targets but as a comprehensive guiding framework.
The GDP growth target for 2026 will attract the most attention. Early signals suggest that the momentum of development will be maintained, though greater emphasis will be placed on quality and structural improvement. After achieving the 5 percent growth target in 2025, the focus is now shifting toward new high-quality productive forces, the expansion of domestic demand, the upgrading of manufacturing, and green, low-carbon development.
Environmental regulation, legislation promoting ethnic unity and development, and a national development planning law are among the prominent highlights of this year’s agenda. The proposed environmental regulation aims to further strengthen the principle of green development within the legal framework, particularly in light of China’s commitment to reach its peak carbon emissions by 2030.
Five-year plans also determine the direction of future industries. Quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and 6G communication systems have been highlighted as new drivers of development. There is a growing emphasis on basic research, breakthroughs in critical technologies, and the rapid commercialisation of innovation, while enterprises are being assigned a central role in driving technological progress.
The “Two Sessions” have traditionally also reflected China’s diplomatic stance. In recent years, cooperation, openness, and support for a multilateral international system have been key themes. This year, discussions are also expected to address global and regional conflicts, relations among major powers, and issues related to global governance.
The year 2026 also marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, while China is scheduled to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting the same year. In this context, special attention will be given to China’s diplomatic posture and its role in the global economy.
Held at the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, these “Two Sessions” hold decisive importance in shaping China’s future development trajectory. By focusing on high-quality growth, industrial upgrading, green transition, and institutional strengthening through legislation, China is entering a phase in which both domestic stability and international cooperation will be harmonised as central objectives. The policy priorities of the coming years will be determined in light of the discussions and decisions emerging from these sessions.
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