'Two sessions' anticipated amid new political, economic landscape

Despite there being no change in government on the agenda, China's routine March meetings -- dubbed the "two sessions" -- are set to be closely watched as the country's political and economic dynamics are changing significantly.

Attention will be focused on China next week as lawmakers and political advisors attend the annual full sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

The two sessions are held to discuss political and economic developments, and adopt policies to deliver the reform promises and economic growth targets set by the Chinese authorities.

Over the years, the sessions have helped navigate the development of China, which is not only very important to the country itself, but also matters much to the world.

FOUR COMPREHENSIVES

Since Wednesday, the Communist Party of China mouthpiece the People's Daily has been running a series of editorials to elaborate on and promote President Xi Jinping's new political theory ahead of the two sessions.

The theory, called the "Four Comprehensives", refers to "comprehensively" building a moderately prosperous society, deepening reform, advancing rule of law and strictly governing the Party.

The four aspects are strategic objectives outlined in Xi's blueprint for China's future. Analysts believe the two sessions will provide an ideal occasion to discuss the new theory and help pool strength to implement it.

Ding Yuanzhu, of the Chinese Academy of Governance, expects extensive discussion among lawmakers and political advisors, saying that the Four Comprehensives theory focuses on the four key issues in China's modernization drive.

Kuang Xianming, director of the research center for economy under the China Institute for Reform and Development, said the importance of this year's two sessions could be associated with the expected role of the year 2015 in China's development history.

China is embracing complex and fast-changing circumstances at home and abroad, and there has been a combination of pressure from slowing growth, difficulties in restructuring the economy, and urgency to deepen reform, he said.

The Chinese leadership has defined the year 2015 as "the key year of comprehensively deepening reforms", "the first year of comprehensively promoting rule of law" and "the final year of the 12th Five-year Plan".

These comments in themselves suggest formidable missions ahead for China. Of the 336 reform tasks listed in the blueprint which was laid out during a key meeting in November 2013, 80 tasks for 2014 have been "basically finished", but a lot more work is needed toward the rest, Ding said.