As 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, the whole new “two sessions”, the country’s top legislature and advisory body to be convened this March, will not only give direction to China’s future development, but also become a window for the world to know more about the country.

New faces

Over 2,200, or nearly 75% of the 2,980 elected deputies for the 13th National People’s Congress are new deputies. Over half of the members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will also be newly elected during the sessions.

How the new NPC deputies and CPPCC members fulfill their duties will become a key point of focus during the event.

New leadership

One of the major tasks of the 2018 “two sessions” is to elect new state leadership and National Committee of the CPPCC. It means a new “line-up” will be formed after the conferences. By convention, the new Premier of China will meet with press after the conclusion of the national legislature’s annual session.

New reform

The reform of state institutions, which must be approved by the NPC, will also become an important agenda of the 2018 “two sessions”. The questions of how China will eliminate barriers in the function system of its state institutions and optimizes efficiency will receive broad attention.

New development goals

Each year, China’s government report sets goals revolving around core economic indexes such as GDP growth, CPI growth, financial deficits and grain production. One of the most important signals to be released by the “two sessions” is China’s new development goals in 2018.

In addition, the presentation of these indexes in the government report will also be a highlight after the country released its first green development index at the end of 2017.

New constitutional amendment

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee decided in January to discuss a proposal about amending part of China's Constitution at the second plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

In 1982, the fifth National People's Congress adopted the present Constitution, which underwent four amendments in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004. It is the first time in 14 years for China to carry out new constitutional amendments.

New anti-corruption organ

The 7th plenary session of 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) released a timetable for the establishment of China’s national supervisory commission in early 2017.

The 1st session of the 13th NPC is expected to deliberate and approve the national supervision law, establish the national supervisory commission, and elect officials of the commission.