The gathering came against a backdrop of major economic headwinds, decreasing transparency on government indicators, and growing concern among international business and investors.
The event began on Monday as China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), convened alongside a separate but parallel meeting of the country's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The nearly 3,000 NPC delegates can amend the constitution, enact new legislation, approve the government budget and fill vacancies in state offices. But in reality the NPC isa rubber-stamp parliament. It has never voted down any item on the agenda, and the Communist party (CCP) holds the ultimate power. Nevertheless, it is a keenly watched political event.
An agenda published by state media revealed that current vacancies in the state council - China's cabinet - and central military commission will remain vacant for some time, with no personnel appointments announced during the Two Sessions.
Denne historien er fra March 08, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra March 08, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian Weekly.
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The Saudi football World Cup is an act of violence and disdain
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With tyrant Assad ousted, Syrians deserve support and hope
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TV
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Murky love stories, nostalgic pop and an in-your-face masterpiece captured our critics' ears in 2024
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Visual language, sound, light and rhythm are to the fore in the best movies of the year
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From an exuberant mountaineer to a woman defiantly facing the guns of war, here are some of the brave individuals who gave us hope in a tumultuous 2024
Votes of confidence
From India to Venezuela and Senegal to the US, more people voted this year than ever before, with over 80 elections across the world. With rising authoritarianism and citizen-led resistance revealing its vulnerabilities and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges, has democracy reached its breaking or turning point?
