Global Political Calendar: China unveils annual development plans

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China's annual political sessions will be in full swing, DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un will be back in Pyongyang after a no-deal summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi, and UK Prime Minister Theresa May continues to gather support for her Brexit deal to be approved by the British parliament.

China's Two Sessions

The 2019 national Two Sessions – made up of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) – are scheduled to open on Sunday (March 3) and Tuesday (March 5) respectively.

2018: China's economy grows by 6.6 percent, beating target

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will deliver the government work report, which is expected to unveil China's goals, policies and development plans for the whole year. What will be the GDP growth target? How will the country maintain steady growth rates amid lingering downward pressure?

Meanwhile, deputies of the NPC, the national legislature, will deliberate the draft foreign investment law – a key legislative effort to facilitate China's opening-up policy.

The National Committee of the CPPCC is China's top political advisory body. A main theme to watch for is that the CPPCC celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding this year.

Kim's return journey and Trump's troubles

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un boarded his special train at the Dong Dang border station in Vietnam at noon on Saturday, starting his long journey home through China. The journey is expected to take at least two and a half days.

The February 27-28 summit between Trump and Kim ended without a deal due to their differences on sanctions against the DPRK. The U.S. claimed that the DPRK wanted a full lifting of sanctions, while Pyongyang said it only requested a partial removal. Nevertheless, both sides agreed to continue their talks on denuclearization.

With Trump back in Washington and Kim back in Pyongyang, how the U.S.-DPRK talks proceed after the disappointing summit and what roles Seoul and Beijing play in the process will be closely watched.

The DPRK issue is not the only headache for Trump. Days after his former lawyer Michael Cohen's explosive testimony before Congress, another key figure in the Russia meddling probe will be under the spotlight. Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, will be sentenced in Virginia on Thursday for tax fraud, failure to file a report of foreign bank and financial accounts, and bank fraud.

Another crucial week for Brexit

Theresa May has promised a meaningful and binding vote on her Brexit deal in Parliament by March 12. There are also speculations that the vote will take place in the week ahead. The coming days will be crucial for May to rally support.

If British lawmakers once more reject her withdrawal agreement, they will get to vote on asking her to request that the EU delay Brexit, currently set down as March 29.

Negotiations are still ongoing between London and Brussels to look for a way around the problem of the contentious Irish "backstop." Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator on Brexit, has indicated that the bloc is ready to give Britain more guarantees that the Irish "backstop" is only intended to be temporary.

Will the Brexit process speed up?

Day-by-day

Monday: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev kicks off a two-day official visit to Bulgaria.

Tuesday: China's annual legislative session opens and Premier Li Keqiang delivers the government work report, Medvedev begins a two-day official visit to Luxembourg, Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia election is held, and the Geneva Disarmament Forum holds a debate on Nuclear Ban Treaty.

Wednesday: Chinese legislators and political advisors discuss the government work report.

Thursday: German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz talks about preparations for Brexit at a DHL hub in Leipzig, the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting starts in Brussels, U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis at the White House, former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort is due to be sentenced, the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting begins in Chiang Rai, and the ASEAN+3 Taskforce Meeting (Finance) kicks off in Hong Kong.

Friday: The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting concludes in Brussels, the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting ends in Chiang Rai, and the ASEAN+3 Taskforce Meeting (Finance) wraps up in Hong Kong.

Saturday: Chinese political advisors discuss the draft foreign investment law.

Sunday: Bissau-Guinean People's National Assembly election is due to take place.