Xi shines at 2015 'two sessions'

As China's annual parliamentary session draws to an end, President Xi Jinping is again in the spotlight with the world watching how the Chinese leadership would lift the country's economy amid the "new normal" of slower growth. [Special coverage]

Although Xi has not openly spelled out a full master plan for the road ahead in the most important two weeks in the country's political calendar this year, the interactions between Xi and lawmakers and political advisors could offer a glimpse.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

The annual "two sessions," which bring together the full assembly of legislators and political advisors from March 3-15, have seen Xi -- himself a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) -- participate in panel discussions with lawmakers and advisors.

Each time, the president spoke of exciting prospects, expounding on a vision widely referred to as the "Four Comprehensives."

The popular catchphrase, first coined by Xi last year, is an umbrella term for comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, deepening reform, advancing the rule of law and strictly governing the Party.

During a panel discussion with members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Xi noted that with the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China had witnessed remarkable progress in its economic growth, diplomacy and national defense, as well as in its drive to deepen reform and counter-corruption efforts.

But the work is far from over.

Talking with lawmakers from Shanghai on March 5, the president urged the metropolis to continue to spearhead reform, opening-up and innovation, and make greater contribution to overall reform, development and stability.

In the panel discussion with Jiangxi NPC deputies the following day, he pledged to expedite efforts to build a moderately prosperous society and let the people in the old revolutionary base areas share the fruits of development with the entire country. He also vowed to advance the battle against corruption.

On March 8, Xi urged Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to embrace the ambitious Belt and Road initiatives, and further expand cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The president also called for new engines of growth to revitalize the old industrial base in the country's northeast amid the new normal in a panel discussion with Jilin legislators on March 9, and highlighted the implementation of the "Four Comprehensives" again Thursday when conferring with NPC deputies from the armed forces.