INTRODUCTION
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This year’s annual meetings of the top legislature and the top advisory body – together known as the “two sessions” – are being held ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China from March 31.
Facing a complex, volatile international landscape marked by strategic competition with the US and opportunities for diversified cooperation with Europe and the Global South, Beijing is poised to give its final endorsement of the 15th five-year plan, setting the stage for economic and social development from now to 2030.
In addition, China has laid out broad goals for the People’s Liberation Army to make “significant progress” on information warfare, military mechanisation and strategic projection by 2027, when the PLA celebrates its centenary.
Reporting by Meredith Chen, Sylvie Ma, Ji Siqi, Alyssa Chen, Xinlu Liang and Alcott Wei
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