China Focus: A-Z of "two sessions" talking points

The plenary sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People' s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), popularly known as the "two sessions", will kick off this week. What will be the big talking points? Xinhua has compiled a list of 26 hot topics.

A|Anti-corruption

The Chinese government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach in fighting corruption since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012.

In 2015, China's top anti-graft watchdog said it will net more "tigers" and "flies" -- corrupt government officials at both higher and lower levels -- and combat graft in state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

But how to build a long-term mechanism to supervise the exercise of official power requires suggestions from NPC deputies and CPPCC members.

B|Breakup of Monopolies

Although China has eased market access in many industries and started SOE reforms in a bid to mobilize private investment and break monopolies, there is still a lot to do to achieve fair competition. Experts believe the private sector will reap more fruit this year.

C|Check of Power

In the past two years, China's central government has prioritized the task of cutting red tape and delegating power to lower-level governments.

Altogether, 798 administrative approval items have been canceled or delegated to local governments. The move has curbed corruption and stimulated entrepreneurship. More progress can be expected in the area.

D|Democracy

In February, the CPC Central Committee published a document proposing to promote "consultative democracy".

Consultative democracy -- defined as a democratic pattern in which, led by the CPC, all sections of society are consulted on major issues before and during policy-making processes -- helps Chinese people take part in the country's governance and makes sure that diverse voices can be heard and consensus can be reached.

The two sessions are perfect examples of China exerting consultative democracy and offer a window for people to observe and understand China's democracy.

E|Engines

Last winter, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang put forward a fresh concept at Davos - "Two engines": "To transform the traditional engine of growth by focusing on increasing the supply of public goods and services" and "To foster a new engine of growth by encouraging mass entrepreneurship and innovation."

In 2015, China is sure to take steps to fuel the "two engines" so that the economy can maintain a medium-to-high speed of growth and achieve a medium-to-high level of development.

F|"Four Comprehensives"

CPC mouthpiece the People's Daily has carried a series of editorials prior to the annual legislative session, expounding the concept of the "Four Comprehensives", first raised by Xi Jinping in December.

The concept includes comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, deepening reform, advancing the rule of law and strictly governing the Party. The concept, drawing widespread attention from home and abroad, is expected to be the main theme of the legislative session.

G|GDP

At the opening meeting of the NPC session on Thursday, Li Keqiang will reveal this year's GDP target when delivering the government work report. It is the subject of much anticipation at home and abroad. Most Chinese provinces lowered their GDP targets for 2015 at previous local legislative sessions.

H|Hong Kong

2014 was an eventful year for Hong Kong. The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program kicked off trading. Guangdong and Hong Kong liberalized their service trade, and the Guangdong free trade zone (FTZ) was approved.

Meanwhile, the illegal "occupy" protest movement negatively impacted Hong Kong's development and reform to its political system, according to Chinese leaders. Differences of opinion between people from the mainland and Hong Kong have surged.

I|Innovation

Innovation is an engine to China's development, and reform an ignitor to the engine. As the economy enters a "new normal", and growth slows, China's economy will rely more on innovation to drive its growth.

J|Jobs

The number of jobs forecast to be created this year will be revealed at the annual legislative session. In the past two years, despite an economic slowdown, the number of newly-created jobs has increased steadily.

China is promoting employment through encouraging business start-ups, cutting red tape and delegating power to lower-level governments.

K|Key Policies

China's fiscal and monetary policies in 2015 under the circumstances of slowed economic growth are the key focus of the two sessions.

L|Law

2015 has been defined by the Chinese leadership as "the first year of comprehensively promoting the rule of law". The two sessions are expected to address legal and judicial aspects in detail: for example, a bill to amend the Legislation Law.

M|Military

China's military expenditure will definitely become one of the most discussed topics during the two sessions in Western media. The question China faces is how to build and manage a stronger army in new conditions.

N|New Normal

"New normal" is a buzz word in 2014 and it will be the first appearance of the word at the two sessions since it became a guideline for Chinese leaders in economic policy-making.

O|Opening up

China became a net foreign investor for the first time in 2014. However, foreign capital still plays a vital role in the Chinese economy, especially in improving the quality and efficiency of growth and in driving innovation. In 2015, China will further open up its service sector, guided by experience distilled from the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

P|Pollution

Premier Li Keqiang made powerful remarks at the parliamentary sessions last year, calling for a "decisive battle" against pollution. A poll has showed that pollution control and environmental protection remains one of the biggest areas of public concern ahead of the two sessions.

Q|Quality

China will not pursue statistical growth single-mindedly, but try to strike a balance where industrial transformation and upgrading and a rational growth rate can all be achieved.

The country is embarking on a development path characterized by efficiency, quality, sustainability and steadiness.

R|Reform

This year has been defined by the top leadership as a crucial period for deepening reform. In which fields will these reforms take place? The government work report will give the answer.

S|Silk Road

It is widely expected that more tangible achievements will be made in the "Belt and Road" networks of Asian trade infrastructure proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013.

At their local legislative sessions, Chinese provinces were very excited about the prospects for the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

T|Tibet

2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The Chinese central government's policies on governing Tibet will attract attention from reporters home and abroad.

U|United States

Xi Jinping is scheduled to pay a state visit to the United States in September. Last year, China and the United States reached consensus in aspects including visa arrangements, trade and military trust. The two sides also released the landmark China-U.S. Joint Announcement on Climate Change.

Reporters will try to get some hints on how China and the United States will rise above their differences.

V|Values

Authorities believe that moral and ethical education should run through the reform and opening up and influence ordinary people's lives, with the core socialist values of harmony, integrity and fairness being cultivated.

W|World

Given China's fast development and closer ties with other nations, the world cares ever more about Chinese views and attitudes. Attention will be given to a series of regional hot-spot issues and worldwide issues at the two sessions.

X|Xi Jinping

The schedule of the Chinese President Xi Jinping will be closely watched. International and domestic media are wondering what he will say when discussing state affairs with national lawmakers and political advisors.

Y|Year

2015 marks the final year of China's 12th Five-Year Plan, and will also usher in the 13th Five-Year Plan towards the end of the year. The two sessions comes at a crucial period of time in between.

Z|Zone

A year and a half after the launch of the pioneering Shanghai FTZ, similar FTZs in Guangdong, Fujian and Tianjin have been approved and may have an official kick-off very soon. Experts say they are not simple copies of the Shanghai FTZ, but more regionally integrated, targeted, and differentiated in their functions. Endi