Top Chinese leaders join NPC, CPPCC discussions

Senior Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended deliberations at the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and group discussions at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Thursday.

During a group deliberation with NPC deputies from Hebei Province in the afternoon, Premier Li Qiang urged the province to seize opportunities arising from the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to achieve greater progress. He emphasized the need to advance the construction of the Xiong'an New Area with high standards and quality, improve infrastructure and public services, and create a desirable environment for living and working.

On Thursday morning, Li Qiang participated in a joint group meeting with political advisors from the economic and agricultural sectors. To achieve this year's objectives and tasks, he stressed the importance of making macro regulation more forward-looking, targeted and effective. He also highlighted the need to promote urbanization and rural revitalization.

Top legislator Zhao Leji attended a joint group meeting with political advisors from the China Zhi Gong Party, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and the sector of friendship with foreign countries. He called on political advisors to enhance their efforts in consultation, deliberation and democratic oversight. As chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, Zhao also expressed hope that they would closely integrate services for overseas Chinese with the country's overall interests.

During a discussion with political advisors from the religious sector, top political advisor Wang Huning called for systematically developing religions in the Chinese context and gradually forming religious doctrines aligned with China's national conditions. Wang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, underscored the importance of deepening research on major religious issues and strengthening understanding of the Party's theories and policies on religious affairs.

Cai Qi, a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joined a joint group meeting with political advisors from the social sciences sector as well as the press and publication sector. He urged them to leverage their expertise to provide insights for advancing Chinese modernization. Cai also emphasized the importance of social responsibility and contributions to the development of philosophy, social sciences, media and publicity.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who participated in a joint group meeting with political advisors from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, stressed the importance of upholding "one country, two systems" and maintaining the prosperity and stability of the two regions. He also called for consolidating and enhancing their unique status and advantages while promoting their integration into the country's overall development.

Li Xi, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, attended a joint group meeting with political advisors from the Communist Youth League of China, the All-China Youth Federation, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and the All-China Women's Federation. He encouraged political advisors to actively contribute suggestions on deepening reform, promoting high-quality development, and drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), among other key issues. He also reiterated the need to maintain a high-pressure stance against misconduct and corruption.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.