Socioeconomic goals, development pattern on agenda at key political event

Global attention turns to Beijing on Thursday as the two sessions, China's biggest annual political event, get underway.

Eyes will be focused on how the world's second-largest economy will make further efforts to realize its socioeconomic goals and build a new development paradigm of "dual circulation" amid a complex internal and external environment.

Observers said the meetings will also indicate the direction of China's post-pandemic foreign policy, particularly how it will handle relations with the United States.

The two sessions are the meetings of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

Xu Lyuping, a CPPCC member and former deputy head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sessions are especially significant this year, as 2021 marks the start of the country's new five-year plan and the centenary of the CPC, the world's largest ruling political party.

The two sessions will help pool wisdom and strength from people nationwide to implement decisions and policies made by the CPC Central Committee in order to get China's new journey toward becoming a modern socialist country off to a good start, Xu said.

She added that the event will also be a good opportunity for the world to comprehensively understand how China will implement its new development philosophy and build the "dual circulation" paradigm.

"It will enable the rest of the world to see the opportunities China will create for it as the country develops further," she added.

The two sessions are seen as a window to observe China's development and as an embodiment of Chinese democracy.

Some 3,000 lawmakers will gather in Beijing to discuss major laws and regulations. They will also discuss and approve several key documents, including the Government Work Report and the national budget. More than 2,000 political advisers will participate in discussions of the documents and put forward their opinions and suggestions.

While shaping the political and economic agendas for the year ahead, the two sessions are also an event where plans for military, diplomatic, trade, environmental and other policies are announced.

This year, the event takes place as China is striving to become a modern socialist country after completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It also gives the leadership an opportunity to outline longer-term plans that could define the nation's future.

Lawmakers' approval of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 will top the agenda for the annual NPC session, which opens on Friday, one day after the start of the CPPCC National Committee's annual session.

This document is important, as it will formulate a practical blueprint for China's economic growth and social development in the coming years.