TWO SESSIONS SPECIAL: The Path Forward

The annual Two Sessions outline China’s post-epidemic economic prospects and chart its road to prosperity.

- Xia Yuanyuan & Hu Fan

This year’s Two Sessions of China, postponed for more than two months, bear a special meaning as the unprecedented coronavirus epidemic complicates the nation’s efforts to eradicate absolute poverty and complete building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

On May 21, the Two Sessions, the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), top political advisory body of the country, convened at a time when China faces mounting pressure to achieve the goals this year against the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak and global economic recession. Though delayed, this year’s Two Sessions will serve as a confidence booster and a new starting point for the nation.

On May 22, Premier Li Keqiang delivered the Report on the Work of the Government at the opening meeting of the Third Session of the 13th NPC. For the first time in a quarter century, the premier announced that China has set no specific economic growth target for 2020 because the country will face some factors that are difficult to predict in its development due to the great uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 epidemic and the world economic and trade environment.

However, Li emphasized the country will work to ensure achieving the development goals of winning the battle against poverty and completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year.

Challenging year

China’s economy remained stable overall in 2019. The country’s year-on-year GDP growth came in at 6.1 percent, contributing to about 30 percent of the growth of the world economy, according to the report.