China National People’s Congress live updates: Beijing aims for 5% growth in 2024

What we know

• This week China is holding its biggest political gathering of the year in Beijing, the capital. The National People’s Congress, the country’s highest legislative body, will meet starting Tuesday, while a concurrent meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a top advisory body, began Monday. The weeklong meetings are being held at the cavernous, ornate Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square.
• Though largely ceremonial in nature, the legislative sessions provide insight into the thinking of China’s ruling Communist Party and what the government’s plans are for the coming year. Of particular interest to international observers is what measures officials will take to address China’s economic slowdown.
• On the eve of the National People’s Congress, China made a surprise announcement: Premier Li Qiang will not hold a news conference at the end of the meeting on March 11. It’s the first time in 30 years that China is scrapping the premier’s news conference, a rare opportunity for journalists from around the world to ask questions of a top Chinese leader.