China’s Two Sessions 2025: National Trajectory Towards High-Quality Development and Growth
The annual Two Sessions of China, encompassing the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is the country’s most significant political gathering. Held from March 4 to March 10-11, 2025, these sessions offer vital insights into China’s second centennial goals, economic outlook, development plans, and global vision for the upcoming year.
A significant point of emphasis during the 2025 Two Sessions is China’s ongoing commitment to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), prioritizing “dual circulation,” innovation, and sustainable development. The dual circulation strategy seeks to leverage both local and global markets to enhance economic resilience. In strengthening domestic consumption, China also seeks to enhance its global economic integration by providing foreign investors with greater access to its markets and promoting Chinese companies to grow internationally.
Approaches and Development Strategies for 2025
The Two Sessions will underscore China’s dedication to utilizing its extensive domestic market while also enhancing global trade connections. The dual-circulation strategy, centered on boosting domestic consumption while sustaining strong international economic ties, continues to be a key element of China’s economic policy and has committed to improving market access for international investors and continues trade, vowing a wider and more profound degree of economic openness.
China’s manufacturing industry, the world’s largest for 14 consecutive years, will continue to be a focal point of discussion. Key sectors like auto production and ship construction retain worldwide role, emphasizing the nation’s economic strength and seeking to enhance its manufacturing capabilities by incorporating advanced technologies and strengthening supply chain security.
The Two Sessions offer an important role for lawmakers and advisors to assess the accomplishments of the previous year and suggest new initiatives to promote social and economic progress. Such proposals, based on the truths of Chinese society, represent the hopes of different social and economic sectors.
Political Leadership and Governance Insights
Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders participated in the opening session of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People. Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presented a work report, detailing progress on major policy initiatives and outlining future strategies.
During the eight-day deliberations, reports were delivered by key state officials, including the premier, the top legislator, the chief justice, and the top procurator. Lawmakers reviewed the national budget, development plans, and amendments to legislative frameworks governing the NPC and local people’s congresses. Additionally, high-ranking government ministers conducted press briefings to clarify policies and address pressing issues. The Two Sessions foster consensus and reinforce confidence in China’s reform agenda. The CPPCC, as an advisory body, plays a crucial role in political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in state affairs. It brings together representatives from different political factions, social organizations, and ethnic groups to deliberate on national priorities.
During a session with the Jiangsu delegation, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for Jiangsu, a major economic powerhouse, to lead in technological innovation, industrial modernization, and high-level economic opening. He underscored the province’s responsibility in achieving China’s targets under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).
The highlight of the importance of advancing science, technology, and education to foster new productive forces is characterized by high technology, efficiency, and quality. The increased investment in research and development, the nurturing of talent, and the seamless integration of scientific advancements into the broadening economy. Jiangsu province is expected to continue spearheading economic reforms and high-quality development efforts.
High-Quality Party Building and Political Governance
The concept of using high-quality Party-building to guide high-quality development remains a key theme of the Two Sessions. The Chinese Communist Party (CPC) emphasizes the integration of political governance with economic growth through the practice of whole-process people’s democracy. This type of governance model ensures democratic principles permeate every stage of policy-making, from formulation to implementation and evaluation.
China’s whole-process democracy incorporates continuous public participation through consultation mechanisms like the CPPCC. This approach allows for inclusive policymaking that reflects the interests of diverse social groups while maintaining political stability. The synergy between Party leadership and democratic consultation ensures policy continuity and social cohesion while maintaining China’s trajectory towards modernization.
Innovation and Technological Modernizations
Another key point of the Two Sessions was China’s dedication to technological progress. The Government Work Report for this year presented new concepts like “embodied AI” and “6G,” highlighting China’s emphasis on advanced technologies. The “AI Plus” initiative has attracted significant public attention, highlighting China’s growing focus on artificial intelligence as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Political consultants deliberated on different technological and economic issues, such as job creation, maritime economy, market growth, cultural conservation, and ecological sustainability. The CPPCC National Committee carried out 42 significant research initiatives, organized 85 discussions, and handled more than 5,000 proposals in the previous year, showcasing its influence in formulating national policies.
President Xi Jinping’s vision emphasizes that building a strong nation in education, science, technology, and talent development is a shared responsibility of the entire Party and society. This corresponds with China’s wider strategic goals of self-sufficiency, innovation-led development, and ongoing economic modernization. China seeks to improve cybersecurity protocols, data management, and advancements in space technology, bolstering national security and sustaining its position in technological innovation. The incorporation of AI and big data into security systems will be vital in defining the country’s upcoming defense strategy.
China remains committed to establishing itself as a crucial global participant, promoting inclusive economic development and global collaboration. As a part of its long-term vision, China aims to deepen its involvement in global trade networks through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and global initiatives for a community with a shared future. The government’s strategies emphasize economic stability, sustainable progress, and technological self-sufficiency, strengthening its role in global economic leadership.
The key takeaways from the Two Sessions include the emphasis on scientific and technological innovation as drivers of economic growth, the expansion of dual circulation to boost domestic demand while deepening global trade partnerships, the strengthening of education and talent development, the advancement of whole-process people’s democracy, and the reinforcement of environmental and social policies to promote sustainable development. The 2025 Two Sessions have once again provided crucial insights into China’s governance model, economic policies, and long-term strategic goals. As China progresses toward its second centennial goal, the resolutions and policy directions outlined during the Two Sessions will shape its trajectory for years to come. The outcomes of this year’s sessions will shape China’s trajectory in the coming years, providing insights into its evolving role on the world stage.
