Hundreds of Hong Kong politicians and business leaders are set to head to Beijing on Monday for the nation’s top annual political gathering, with analysts predicting further integration with mainland China will be a major talking point among elites.
Advertisement
The meetings of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and National People’s Congress (NPC), scheduled to begin on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, will see the country’s power brokers discuss and approve policy plans aimed at guiding China’s economy, military, trade, diplomacy, environmental management and other strategic areas.
Ding Xuexiang, the Chinese vice-premier and head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), will meet local delegates behind closed doors, the Post has learned.
Known as the “two sessions”, or lianghui, the meetings come after China hit its 5 per cent economic growth target for 2024 but as it braces for a challenging 2025 amid an escalating trade war and hi-tech race with the United States.
US President Trump has announced tariffs on all Chinese imports will double to 20 per cent and take effect from Tuesday.
Advertisement
Unlike last year’s sessions, during which Hong Kong’s enactment of its domestic national security law was the focus of closed-door meetings, economic development would take centre stage this year, delegates and political analysts said.