The National People’s Congress in China concluded today. The Chinese government’s plans for the next few years are announced at the annual meeting. According to China expert and creator of BNR’s China Podcast John Boy Vossen, the People’s Congress was mainly dedicated to realizing the plans previously presented to the Party Congress.
Furthermore, the National People’s Congress is known as a “clapping machine”, as Vossen knows. ‘And rightfully so, because everyone agrees with the plans presented there. I don’t think it has ever happened that a plan has not been approved by everyone, just like with President Xi Jinping who was re-elected for a third term.’
The National People’s Congress is known as a “cheering machine”
There was also no opposition to the appointment as prime minister of Li Qiang, better known in the Western world for the harsh lockdowns in Shanghai, says sinologist Valerie Hoeks. She says there’s a lot of speculation about his attitude and part of his personality will shine through in his new role.
Executive party
But where the president is often thought to have the power in China, the prime minister is the executive party in Chinese politics. “It’s good to know that Li Qiang is very close to Xi Jinping,” Hoeks said. “Much more than his predecessor Li Keqiang was with Xi. So that he can stand out in two directions.’
On the one hand, Hoeks thinks that Li Qiang will have more freedom to implement plans, but according to her there are also people who argue that Li is very loyal to President Xi, making Xi more powerful than he has ever been. . But exactly how much space it will get from Xi is “a big black box,” according to Hoeks. “It’s hard to say, but at least they’re on the same page,” she says. “That means he’s loyal, but the reason he was chosen is because China is going through a difficult time.”
‘Cheap Crank’
According to Hoeks, Li is seen as the man who can give China an ‘economic boost’. Especially since he can act much more on the basis of his economic experience than he, while Li Kiqiang was more of a professional politician.
Li Qiang was also Shanghai’s party chief, though that doesn’t mean Shanghai residents are overly enthusiastic about the appointment, knows Hoeks, who lives in Shanghai. For now, residents are waiting, he says. ‘It’s seeing and then believing’, he concludes. ‘But that’s no big surprise to them either: A date can often be seen to go a long way. People realize that China has had huge setbacks for three years, and now things are starting to pick up again.”
Pile
The Chinese therefore hope that the government will support that restart, Hoeks continues. However, there would have been some comments from private companies, which feel disadvantaged compared to state-owned companies. “And Li Qiang really made short work of his speech—because he also spoke today—” concludes Hoeks. “He actually said that those private companies are very important to the Chinese economy.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
