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| COVID-19 vaccine production line of Sinovac in Beijing. (PHOTO: XINHUA) |
Each year, the Two Sessions offer a perfect portal through which to understand China's politics, as well as its social and economic agenda.
The buzzwords that emerge from the Two Sessions, particularly in the government work report, are watched closely by the international community.
Here are some of the buzzwords of particular attention:
GDP goals
At the Two Sessions each year, the annual economic development goals of the world's second-largest economy are among the most-watched topics.
The development goals for 2022, unveiled on March 5 in the government work report, include the country's targets on GDP growth, inflation, the ratio of deficit to GDP, employment, consumption and foreign trade, among others.
The GDP growth rate will be maintained at 5.5 percent for 2022, and economic stability is made to be top priority in the government's work, according to the government work report.
In 2021, China's GDP exceeded 114 trillion RMB, registering an increase of 8.1 percent over the previous year and an average growth of 5.1 percent over the preceding two years.
Sci-tech innovation
Innovation is a big buzzword in this year's Two Sessions, particularly among those from the sci-tech sectors.
This year's government work report said China will further implement the innovation-driven development strategy and raise its capacity for sci-tech innovation.
National legislators and political advisors discussed ways to reinforce the country's strength in the sci-tech field and its innovation capability.
In 2021, the country's total R&D investment reached 2.79 trillion RMB, up 14.2 percent year-on-year.
China's overall innovation capacity ranking rose to 12th in the world, with outstanding scores in hi-tech exports, patents, and industrial designs.
Basic research
China will implement a 10-year action plan on basic research to ensure stable support for sci-tech innovation over the long term, according to the government work report.
In 2021, the country's spending on basic research rose 15.6 percent to 169.6 billion RMB, 1.4 percentage points more than the overall R&D spending.
The proportion of basic research to total R&D expenditure stood at 6.09 percent in 2021, an increase of 0.08 percentage point over the previous year.
China vows to boost basic research spending to a record 8 percent of R&D expenditure during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
Rural vitalization
As China is at a historical juncture of moving toward its second centenary goal, rural vitalization is high on the country's list of priorities.
Agricultural production will be boosted and rural vitalization will be promoted, said the government work report.
Last year, China secured a complete victory in its fight against poverty. The country has met the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.
Building on its victory in eradicating poverty, China is moving on to push for a comprehensive rural vitalization in its rural areas.
A number of once-impoverished counties in western regions will be chosen for rural vitalization assistance.
Green development
Green development is high on the agenda of this year's Two Sessions as the country is on course to fulfilling its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
This year's government work report includes a series of policy tools to enhance the county's climate actions.
While cutting carbon emissions, efforts will be made to safeguard energy security, industrial and supply-chain security, and food security, as well as to ensure people's normal daily lives.
The proportion of the Chinese economy taken up by the green and low-carbon sector will be further increased, as high-quality growth gains momentum through expanding the hi-tech sector and promoting the digital and smart transformation of industry.
International cooperation
Promoting higher standard opening up and international cooperation is also greatly emphasized at this year's Two Sessions.
In the spirit of building a community with a shared future for humankind, China's circle of friends is continuing to expand, as it pledges to do more to attract foreign investment and promote global cooperation.
It will actively take part in global governance system, and deeply integrate into the global innovation network, while collectively addressing the global challenges.