China’s Two Sessions — the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)— have outlined major policy decisions set to shape the nation’s travel and transport sectors. This year’s meetings took place from 4 to 11 March, with discussions focusing on economics, infrastructure expansion, visa-free travel, climate, and global connectivity.
What Is China’s Two Sessions Meeting?
The Two Sessions refer to the concurrent annual gatherings of China’s top legislative and advisory bodies. The NPC, China’s highest legislative authority, is responsible for reviewing and approving national laws, policies, and budgets. The CPPCC, an advisory body, comprises representatives from various sectors who provide insights on political and social issues.
Held every March in Beijing, these meetings set the policy agenda for the coming year, influencing both domestic and international affairs. During the Two Sessions, China also releases reports from key institutions, including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planning body, as well as a central and local government budget report.
High-quality development, a big highlight of the Chinese economy, is making solid progress. At the "two sessions," Xinhua's Zheng Xin speaks with some national lawmakers and political advisors to find out how China advances high-quality development. #TwoSessions #Vlog… pic.twitter.com/dtcRZiBLd7
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) March 9, 2025
The government has set an economic growth target of around 5% for 2025, reflecting a cautious yet ambitious outlook amid global economic uncertainties. To stimulate growth, the fiscal deficit is projected to reach 4% of GDP, marking the highest level in recent years. This signals plans for increased government spending to boost domestic demand.
1. Infrastructure expansion in China’s Western provinces
One of the major focuses of this year’s Two Sessions is the development of infrastructure in China’s western provinces. The government has introduced 15 new measures aimed at integrating rail, air, river, and sea links to improve regional connectivity.
Cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi’an, and Urumqi are set to become major transport hubs, supporting economic growth in historically underdeveloped areas. This initiative is designed to close the economic gap between the western and coastal regions, while also improving domestic and international trade routes.
2. Advancements in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Sector
The Chinese government uses the term new energy vehicles (NEVs) to refer to plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles. China continues to lead in the adoption of NEVs, and the Ministry of Transport is set to introduce 32 regulatory standards, including technical certifications and service benchmarks, to support the NEV industry’s growth.
Additionally, the profession of ‘NEV maintenance technician’ will be officially recognised, ensuring a skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of the sector. This move further solidifies China’s position as a leader in the global EV market.
Significant investments are also planned in technology and innovation, with an 8.3% increase in tech spending to bolster areas such as artificial intelligence, high-tech industries, and advanced manufacturing.
3. Peak emissions and carbon neutrality remain key targets
China has reaffirmed its commitment to carbon neutrality in the Government Work Report, which was delivered at the opening of the third session of the 14th NPC. The report outlines steps China will take to address green trade barriers while advancing its climate goals.
The country aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Several concrete measures have been introduced to support these targets, including:
- Advancing the second batch of carbon peak pilot programmes
- Establishing zero-carbon industrial parks and factories
- Expanding the national carbon trading market to cover more industries
- Strengthening carbon emissions statistics and certification systems
The report also highlights China’s strategy for responding to green trade barriers, which involve environmental regulations affecting imported goods. The government plans to enhance carbon emissions accounting, introduce carbon labelling systems, and strengthen carbon management policies to ensure alignment with global environmental standards.
4. Enhancing global connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains central to China’s long-term global strategy, focusing on expanding trade routes and fostering economic cooperation with partner countries. Through large-scale infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa, and Europe, China is improving railway systems, port logistics, and international trade corridors.
By strengthening cross-border transport links, the initiative continues to position China as a key player in global commerce, enhancing logistics, investment opportunities, and supply chain resilience.
5. Visa-free travel policies to continue
In a move to boost tourism and international business ties, China has expanded its visa-free policy to include 38 countries, the vast majority of which are EU member states. Citizens from these nations can now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days, with the policy remaining in effect until 31 December 2025.
This initiative is designed to increase people-to-people exchanges and stimulate economic growth by encouraging tourism and business interactions. It also aligns with China’s broader efforts to revitalise inbound tourism and strengthen diplomatic ties.
China and the EU celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. A series of events and initiatives have been planned to commemorate this milestone, focusing on trade, technology, and infrastructure development.
A high-profile reception hosted by the EU Delegation is scheduled for 6 May 2025, coinciding with Europe Day celebrations. The event will highlight the progress made in China-EU relations over the past five decades and explore future cooperation opportunities.
This diplomatic milestone underscores the importance of China-EU collaboration, particularly in sustainable development, economic policy, and international trade relations.
