If you live in Chongqing or have visited in the last few days, the chances are that you have either seen or heard about Chongqing’s 两会 (known in English as the Two Sessions). But what are the Two Sessions, and why is it so important? Well, to answer that, we first need to look at the two separate meetings that are taking place around the same time, that make up the Two Sessions.

The 2020 Chongqing Two Sessions getting underway at the Chongqing Great Hall of the People in Yuzhong District.

Introduction to the Chongqing Two Sessions

Each year in March, the Chinese government holds a grand Two Sessions meeting, lasting for 10-14 days. The meetings are with the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (the CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (the NPC). However, ahead of the national meeting in March, each province, autonomous region, and municipality in China hold their own Two Sessions, usually starting in January.

During these meetings, one of the most important points on the agenda is the Work Report, which details the progress that was done last year, and plans and goals for the coming year. The Chongqing Two Sessions started this year on January 10th and concluded on January 15th. It is a significant political meeting in every province, and the national two sessions in March is one of the most important political events each year in China.

The 2020 Chongqing Two Sessions getting underway at the Chongqing Great Hall of the People in Yuzhong District.

The Two Meetings Taking Place

The Two Sessions is made up of two separate meetings held concurrently by the CPPCC and the NPC. 

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference starts first. It is China’s Top Political Advisory Committee. The role of the CPPCC isn’t to make laws but to advise the government, in this case, the Chongqing Local People’s Municipal Government, on policies. The CPPCC is made up of delegates from political parties, social groups, professions, and organizations. During their meeting, the delegates discuss issues like economics, health, and affairs related to Chongqing and its surrounding provinces. The committees of the CPPCC can make proposals for the government to consider for the sake of improving the lives of the people of Chongqing. For this reason, people from different classes and social standing are also part of the CPPCC, and it is the most direct way for local citizens to be involved in the political affairs of their province, region, or municipality.

The 2020 Chongqing Two Sessions getting underway at the Chongqing Great Hall of the People in Yuzhong District.

The power to make law lies with the National People’s Congress, the NPC. The NPC is the second of the two meetings, that make up the Two Sessions, and starts after the CPPCC. The deputies of the NPC are elected into office or chosen based on their professional credentials. While not necessarily every member of the NPC are members of the Chinese Communist Party, they still account for most of the members of the NPC. The role of the NPC is to put forward proposals for new laws or amendments, determine major issues that Chongqing is facing, and elect members to state organs (offices or branches) under the Municipal Local People’s Government. 

Chongqing’s Work Report Released in 2020

During the Chongqing Two Sessions, the Mayor of Chongqing, Tang Liangzhi, released the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government Work Report that details Chongqing’s Key Economic Data from 2019 and the future targets and main tasks for Chongqing in 2020.

You can find the details of the work report released by the Mayor of Chongqing below:

Graphics: 2019 Chongqing Key Economic Data Released

Graphics: Targets and Main Tasks for Chongqing Government in 2020