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.