China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), starts its third annual national session in Beijing on Friday.
The session comes as the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, which is the top advisory body in China, also opened its weeklong annual sessions on Thursday.
The “Two Sessions” had been delayed for two months due to the impact of COVID-19, and the fact that they are both opening this week is an important sign that China’s politics and economy is returning to normal.
It is expected that the NPC session will review anti-COVID-19 measures and pass several new laws in China, with a focus on the country’s GDP growth targets and development directions after the epidemic, alongside other diplomatic, military and social issues.
Macau Chief Executive Ho Ia Seng left Macau on 20 May to travel to Beijing and will present at the NPC session opening ceremony. Twelve NPC deputies and 37 CPPCC members representing Macau have also arrived in Beijing for the two sessions. To ensure the safety of meetings, all underwent three separate COVID-19 virus test at Macau International Airport, Beijing International Airport and their hotel in Beijing respectively.
During the weeklong “Two sessions” period, it is expected that Macau’s NPC deputies and CPPCC members will discuss Macau’s situation and push for the easing of border controls between Macau and Guangdong Province.
