China's "Two Sessions" Marked by Military Purges and Strategic Economic Focus
China's top political advisory body's standing committee has voted to remove three generals, continuing a military purge ahead of the annual Two Sessions. The advisory body is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, with China's legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), beginning its annual session on Thursday. The NPC previously removed nine generals last week, highlighting the ongoing crackdown within the military.
Understanding the Two Sessions
The concurrent meetings, known as the Two Sessions, are significant events in China's political calendar. The National People's Congress (NPC) is constitutionally empowered to amend the constitution, appoint political officials, enact laws, and approve the budget. In 2018, the NPC amended China's constitution to eliminate presidential term limits, and in 2023, it elected Xi Jinping for an unprecedented third term.
In practice, the NPC functions as a deliberative body that approves policies made by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Ongoing Military Purges Cast a Shadow
Ongoing military purges are a prominent backdrop to this week's meetings. Recent reports indicate that General Zhang Youxia, a high-ranking military official, has been investigated for suspected corruption. A paper by the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported over 100 senior officers have been purged or potentially purged since 2022.
Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society, stated that these purges underscore the non-negotiable nature of political loyalty within the military leadership.
Economic and Strategic Priorities Take Center Stage
The Two Sessions will feature the government's annual work report, which will outline goals for the upcoming year, including the GDP growth target. This year's GDP growth target is anticipated to be below 5%, potentially around 4.5%. This session also marks the official launch of the 15th five-year plan, an economic document detailing Beijing's priorities for 2026-2030.
Ruby Osman, a senior policy adviser, noted that this year's Two Sessions are expected to be particularly active, setting a broader strategy for geopolitical and technological shifts. She suggested a potential difference between the annual work report's priorities and the longer-term goals of the five-year plan. The plan is expected to emphasize innovative capacity and resilience against US pressures as China's key structural challenges.
The 2026-2030 period is critical for China's strategic objectives. Reports indicate a goal for the military to be capable of a successful operation concerning Taiwan by 2027, which necessitates an economy resilient to potential sanctions.
The 15th five-year plan is expected to prioritize industrial self-reliance, aiming to enhance domestic production of advanced semiconductors to mitigate the impact of US sanctions on China's technological progress, particularly in artificial intelligence and military applications.
While the focus shifts towards technological self-reliance, even at the expense of rapid growth, domestic issues such as high youth unemployment and an aging population remain.