The event was held largely without COVID restrictions for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] On 4 March, the NPC spokesperson Lou Qinjian said Premier Li Qiang won't hold the annual press conferences for the remaining term of China's parliament, which ends in 2027, ending a tradition maintained for three decades.[2]
The session
NPC deputies meet with the press before the start of the sessionThe session on 5 March
In his maiden government work report on 5 March, Premier Li Qiang spent considerable time discussing how to help struggling private players as well as ease the concerns of foreign businesses. He promised the government would settle overdue payments owed to private businesses.[3] The report mentioned that the government would want to make it easier for migrant workers to be able to change their hukousto urban ones, a subject has long been discussed.[4] It also mentioned that China will improve birth policy to support a growing elderly population by raising benefits and basic pensions and pushing forward a private pension system.[5] Li said Hong Kong should continue implementing the governing principles of “One country, two systems” and “patriotic administration”, and added that Beijing would support Hong Kong in developing its economy and improving residents’ livelihood.[6] He attributed a litany of achievements in 2023 to Xi, and called for officials to rally more closely around the Chinese Communist Partywith Xi Jinping at its core.[7] Li rattled off the report in 50 minutes, the shortest time since 2001.[8]Xinhua News Agency summarized the highlights of the report, including:[9]
2024 GDP growth target: around 5 percent
Creating over 12 million jobs in urban areas
Ratio of deficit to GDP: 3 percent
Special-purpose bonds for local governments: 3.9 trillion yuan
Issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds
Launching AI Plus initiative
Enhancing disruptive and frontier technology research
Launching year-long program to stimulate consumption
Investment from central government budget: 700 billion yuan
Xi Jinping,[10] Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended separately deliberations at the second session of the 14th NPC on later that day,[11] 6 March[12] and 7 March.[13] On 7 March, the delegation of deputies from Xinjiang in a group meeting denial persecution of Uyghurs and pledged to continuous opening-up.[14]
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