Explainer: Why China’s two sessions matter to the rest of the world

China's two sessions, which kicked off on Sunday and will last for about two weeks, are the country’s biggest political meetings of the year. But why do the Two Sessions matter to the rest of the world?

Aside from focusing on domestic affairs, the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC, China’s national legislature and top political advisory body respectively, also have a wide-reaching influence on international affairs.

Economic growth is the primary reason why the world follows China's annual sessions.

Against the backdrop of a transforming global economic landscape and rising protectionism and unilateralism, China is taking further steps to deepen reform and opening-up during the Two Sessions.

China has impressed the world with its remarkable economic performance. In 2018, China saw its GDP increase by 6.6 percent to 13.6 trillion U.S. dollars, contributing about 30 percent to global growth.

China has set its GDP growth target for 2019 at 6 to 6.5 percent in this year's government work report.

The two sessions attract global interest by providing a unique window into China. Matters of public interest including anti-graft activities, ecological protection, targeted poverty alleviation, social security and housing will be thoroughly discussed between heads of government bodies, deputies from all walks of life and the public, before plans are revised or rolled out.

All of these may provide the world answers as to why China under the leadership of the Communist Party of China has maintained continuous and steady development for years.