What Is 2017 National People's Congress

Overview

The 2017 National People's Congress (NPC) was the annual session of China’s top legislative body, serving as the final meeting of the 12th NPC term. Held in Beijing from March 5 to March 15, it brought together nearly 3,000 delegates to review national policies, economic plans, and legal reforms.

This session was particularly significant as it set economic and governance priorities ahead of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China later that year. The NPC functions as China’s primary legislative authority, though its decisions typically align with party leadership directives.

• Delegates from all 34 provincial-level regions attended, with over 2,900 members participating in formal sessions and policy discussions.
• The session officially endorsed 6.5% GDP growth as the target for 2017, balancing economic stability with structural reform goals.
• Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report, outlining priorities in poverty alleviation, pollution control, and state-owned enterprise reform.
• The NPC approved the 13th Five-Year Plan annual implementation report, emphasizing innovation-driven development and urbanization.
• Anti-corruption efforts were reinforced through the endorsement of the National Supervisory Commission pilot program expansion.

How It Works

The National People's Congress operates as China’s highest state body, convening annually to formalize decisions made by the Communist Party leadership. While it does not initiate legislation independently, it ratifies major appointments, budgets, and constitutional amendments.

• Term: The 12th NPC spanned from 2013 to 2018, with the 2017 session being its fifth and penultimate annual meeting before the 2018 leadership transition. Each term lasts five years and includes one session per year.
• Delegates are elected by lower-level people's congresses and serve five-year terms, with selection heavily influenced by the Communist Party.
• The NPC meets annually in March, with sessions typically lasting 10 to 14 days, during which major policy directions are announced.
• Key agenda items include the Government Work Report, budget approval, and legislative proposals, all pre-reviewed by party committees.
• The NPC Standing Committee, a smaller 175-member body, governs between sessions and has the authority to interpret laws.
• Major decisions, such as constitutional amendments or leadership appointments, require a two-thirds majority vote during plenary sessions.
• The session concluded with a press conference by Premier Li Keqiang, addressing questions on economic reform and foreign policy.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 NPC session can be better understood by comparing it with prior years in terms of economic targets, attendance, and legislative output.

The 2017 session maintained continuity in economic planning while laying groundwork for institutional reforms. Unlike 2018, it did not feature constitutional changes, but it did advance the supervisory system that later became permanent. Attendance remained consistently high, reflecting the NPC’s symbolic and procedural importance in China’s governance structure.

Why It Matters

The 2017 NPC session played a pivotal role in shaping China’s short-term economic strategy and long-term governance framework. It signaled the government’s commitment to managing growth amid global uncertainty and domestic challenges.

• The 6.5% growth target reflected a shift toward quality over speed, emphasizing job creation and innovation-led development.
• Delegates approved increased spending on social welfare, including healthcare and rural infrastructure, to reduce inequality.
• The endorsement of the National Supervisory Commission pilot laid the foundation for a unified anti-corruption agency established in 2018.
• Environmental goals were strengthened, with targets to reduce PM2.5 levels in key cities by 5% annually.
• The session reinforced central control over local governments, ensuring policy alignment with Beijing’s priorities.
• International observers used the session to gauge China’s stance on trade, particularly amid rising tensions with the United States.

Overall, the 2017 NPC served as a platform for consolidating party authority and setting the stage for leadership transitions in 2018. While largely ceremonial, its resolutions guide China’s administrative and legislative machinery for the year ahead.