What to watch at China's '2026 two sessions'?

The 2026 two sessions (NPC and CPPCC) are set to open soon. Here is a selection of highlights.

1. 15th Five-Year Plan

As the world's second-largest economy embarks on the inaugural year of its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the two sessions will serve both as a review of past achievements, and as a strategic compass guiding the nation's future development. Lawmakers will examine a draft outline of the new five-year plan.

2. Growth target

China's 2026 GDP growth target will align with the country's high-quality development imperative, which centers on fostering new quality productive forces, boosting consumption, upgrading the manufacturing sector, and advancing the green and low-carbon development.

3. New legislation

Chinese lawmakers are set to deliberate on a draft environmental code, a draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, and a draft law on national development planning.

4. Industries of the future

Quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion power, brain-computer interfaces, embodied AI and 6G mobile communications, have been highlighted as new growth drivers.