China’s most senior officials are gathering in Beijing over the next week for the annual full-session of the country’s parliament, the National People’s Congress. Closely watched during that period will be what economic goals Beijing sets for the coming years, the outlook for U.S. ties, the evolving governance of Hong Kong, and how China aims to achieve its goals of becoming technologically self-sufficient and carbon neutral.
Today is the first day of the NPC and will feature Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivering his work report, the equivalent of the U.S. State of the Union address. China will also be releasing its 2021 fiscal budget, a slew of economic and industrial priorities for the year, as well as development plans for the next five- and 15-year periods.