China will enact a law to combat cross-border corruption this year, according to the top legislature’s work report released on Monday – a move aimed at preventing corruption by companies overseas, which some experts said could shield them from foreign “long-arm jurisdiction”. The work report, submitted by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee to the fourth session of the 14th NPC for deliberation, provided no details or specific timeline for the legislation. The law is expec...

Beijing laid out a list of priorities for the economy, innovation and the military for this year at the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday. Here are the major takeaways from this year’s government work report and budget report: Major targets for 2026 Gross domestic product growth of 4.5-5 per cent A consumer price index increase of around 2 per cent A fiscal budget deficit of around 4 per cent of GDP Addition of 12 million new...

President Xi Jinping urged China’s major provincial economies to take the lead in technological innovation and strengthen their resilience to external shocks over the next five years, part of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC) – the country’s top legislature – which began in Beijing on Thursday. Addressing deputies from the eastern province of Jiangsu, Xi said the region should be at the forefront of developing “new quality productive forces” – the emerging industries...

This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Premier Li Qiang is presenting the government’s annual work report at the opening ceremony of China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC). This year’s annual meetings of the top legislature and the top advisory body – together known as the “two sessions” – are bein...

China has earmarked a 7 per cent increase in defence spending this year, keeping the growth rate largely stable even as the White House aims to ramp up expenditure for the military. In a budget released on Thursday at the start of the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Beijing said it would allocate 1.91 trillion yuan (US$277 billion) for defence. The 7 per cent is a shade down from the 7.2 per cent rise last year but still above the 4.5 to 5 per cent GDP growth target se...

China’s top legislature has removed nine military officials from its list of representatives ahead of Beijing’s biggest annual political meeting next week, according to state news agency Xinhua. The National People’s Congress (NPC) updated its list of representatives from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People’s Armed Police delegation on Thursday, reducing the total to 243. Among the representatives removed were five full generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals. The...