--- source: State Council Information Office / Xinhua News Agency url: https://english.www.gov.cn/2026special/2026npcandcpcc document_type: html date_retrieved: 2026-03-17 period: Fourth Session, 14th NPC & CPPCC, March 5-12, 2026 event_date: March 10, 2026 (mid-session day) parent_publication: National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference indicators_covered: [Government Work Report, NPC Session Schedule, Economic Targets, Policy Directives] --- # China's 2026 National People's Congress and CPPCC Sessions ## Session Overview **Dates:** March 5–12, 2026 **Opening:** March 5, 2026 (Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress) **Closing:** March 12, 2026 (Final votes on resolutions and laws) **Location:** Beijing The 2026 National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held their fourth sessions during this period. Premier Li Qiang delivered the Government Work Report on March 5, which was subsequently approved on March 12 by the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress. ## Government Work Report Structure The Report on the Work of the Government comprises four main parts: ### I. A Review of Our Work in 2025 This section highlights key achievements from 2025, including: - Grain output of 715 million metric tons - Personal incomes rising in step with economic growth - Consolidation of poverty alleviation results - Free preschool education expanded to 14 million children - Childcare subsidies provided to over 30 million children under three years old - Deepened economic reforms including: - Unified national market construction - Refined negative list for market access - Progress in regulatory framework modernization - Continued green development and environmental protection initiatives ### II. Main Objectives and Major Tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (2026-2030) This section establishes long-term strategic objectives and major tasks to guide China's development through 2030, aligned with the 15th Five-Year Plan framework. ### III. Overall Requirements and Policy Orientations for Economic and Social Development in 2026 This section outlines the overarching policy framework and development orientations for 2026, setting the tone for specific initiatives and economic management. ### IV. Major Tasks for 2026 Key focus areas identified for 2026 include: **Digital and Technology Development:** - Promoting "cloud computing plus" (cloudification) and big data integration - Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and governance - Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) digital transformation - Smart factory and intelligent supply chain construction **Infrastructure and Manufacturing:** - Modernization of construction and built environment - Standards and quality upgrading across industries - Development of hyper-scale intelligent computing projects - Satellite internet infrastructure expansion - 5G Plus Industrial Internet acceleration - Advanced manufacturing and industrial upgrades **Digital Economy and Data:** - Refinement of data systems as a production factor - Improved AI governance frameworks - Technology self-reliance advancement - Green transition initiatives - Expansion and optimization of foreign trade --- ## 2026 Development Targets The Government Work Report proposes the following main economic and social targets for 2026: | Target | Goal | |--------|------| | **GDP Growth** | 4.5–5 percent, while striving for better results in practice | | **Surveyed Urban Unemployment Rate** | Around 5.5 percent | | **New Urban Jobs** | Over 12 million | | **Consumer Price Index (CPI) Increase** | Around 2 percent | | **Personal Income Growth** | In step with economic growth | | **Balance of Payments** | Basic equilibrium | | **Grain Output** | Around 700 million metric tons | | **Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction (per unit GDP)** | Around 3.8 percent | --- ## Session Schedule and Proceedings ### March 10 (Mid-Session) Proceedings On March 10, NPC delegations held **small-group deliberations** focusing on reports from key judicial and supervisory institutions: - **Supreme People's Court (SPC) Work Report** — Reviewed by NPC delegations in group meetings - **Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) Work Report** — Reviewed by NPC delegations in group meetings These deliberation sessions allowed NPC deputies to examine and discuss the work reports of China's highest judicial and prosecutorial bodies. ### March 11 Schedules **Morning Session:** - NPC delegations held plenary meetings to review the work reports of: - NPC Standing Committee - Supreme People's Court (SPC) - Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) **Afternoon Session:** - NPC deputies held group meetings to continue review discussions of the above reports ### March 12 Closing The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress concluded on March 12, 2026, with: - Final votes on major resolutions - Final votes on law enactments and amendments - Formal approval of the Government Work Report - Official closing of the session --- ## Policy Context: Economic and Social Development Framework The 2026 targets and policy orientations reflect China's strategic priorities: 1. **Balanced Economic Growth** — GDP target of 4.5–5% reflects steady but quality-focused development 2. **Employment Stability** — Over 12 million new urban jobs with a 5.5% unemployment rate ceiling demonstrates commitment to labor market resilience 3. **Price Stability** — ~2% CPI target aligns with moderate inflation management objectives 4. **Agricultural Security** — 700 million metric ton grain output maintains food security foundations 5. **Climate Action** — 3.8% per-unit-GDP carbon reduction targets climate commitments within economic growth constraints 6. **Technological Advancement** — Emphasis on AI, cloud computing, 5G, and smart manufacturing reflects technology-driven development strategy 7. **Digital Transformation** — SME digitalization and data-as-a-production-factor initiatives modernize economic structure 8. **Foreign Trade** — Expansion of trade aligned with green and quality-focused principles --- ## Sources and References - **Primary Source:** State Council Information Office (english.www.gov.cn), Xinhua News Agency - **Session Schedules:** Official NPC session announcements from State Council Information Office - **Government Work Report:** Released via Xinhua News Agency on March 13, 2026; approved March 12 by NPC - **Document Date:** March 10, 2026 (mid-session proceedings) to March 12, 2026 (session closure)