China's Annual 'Two Sessions' Political Gathering Begins in Beijing

China's Two Sessions, the annual meetings of the country's top legislature and political advisory body, is underway in Beijing.

Transcript

00:00China's biggest annual political gathering has begun, with a meeting of the country's political advisory body.

00:08It opens with a speech from Wang Huning, one of the Chinese Communist Party's highest-ranking leaders,

00:14who recapped what he views as the country's accomplishments from 2025,

00:18including improvements in tech, economy, and defense, and outlined goals for 2026.

00:35And on Thursday, China's largely rubber-stamped parliament, the National People's Congress, will convene,

00:42over eight days, aiming to review key goals for the coming years,

00:46including the government's next work report and five-year plan, which will set key political and economic targets.

00:54The two sessions has, in the past, signaled big policy changes for China,

00:59with previous gatherings formalizing Chinese President Xi Jinping's unprecedented third term as leader

01:05and the national security law now in place in Hong Kong.

01:10But this year, much attention is on China's widening military purge,

01:15with the country's top general being investigated for corruption

01:18and other military officials stripped of their parliamentary membership.

01:23Analysts say they're watching for any clues of who might fill those gaps,

01:27as well as any mention of Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

01:32Usually, the premier talks about Taiwan in the government work report,

01:36and you can, I think, look at the kind of wording the premier uses when you talk about Taiwan.

01:42That will tell you whether they are still in the stability and consistency-first mindset,

01:48or whether a more heated language, for example,

01:51may give you signs that China is warming up,

01:53or something that will be more robust, if not more coercive, towards Taiwan.

01:58So, an eventful few days ahead in Beijing,

02:02with many watching closely for details of China's plans and priorities,

02:07and for a glimpse into the thinking of its government.

02:10Justin Wu and Cadence Quaranta for Taiwan Plus.

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