What Is 2019 National People's Congress

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 National People's Congress (NPC) was the 2nd session of the 13th NPC, held from March 5 to March 15, 2019, in Beijing, with over 2,900 delegates attending to approve major state policies and economic targets.

Key Facts

The 2019 NPC convened on March 5 and concluded on March 15, 2019.
Over 2,900 delegates attended the session from all provinces and regions.
China set its 2019 GDP growth target at 6–6.5%, down from 6.6% in 2018.
The session approved the State Council’s institutional reform plan in 2018, with implementation updates in 2019.
Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report on March 5, 2019.

Overview

The 2019 National People's Congress (NPC) marked the second annual session of China’s 13th National People's Congress, a key political event in the country’s legislative calendar. Held in Beijing from March 5 to March 15, 2019, the session brought together more than 2,900 delegates from across China’s provinces, autonomous regions, and special administrative regions.

This gathering served as a platform for reviewing the previous year’s economic performance and setting national policy goals for the coming year. As the highest state authority under China’s Constitution, the NPC’s decisions carry significant weight in shaping national direction, particularly in economic planning, legal reforms, and government restructuring.

Over 2,900 delegates participated in the 2019 session, representing all 34 provincial-level administrative divisions of China.
March 5 to March 15, 2019 was the official duration of the session, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The GDP growth target was set at 6–6.5% for 2019, reflecting a slight slowdown from 2018’s 6.6% growth.
Li Keqiang delivered the Government Work Report, outlining priorities such as tax cuts, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
No major constitutional changes were proposed in 2019, unlike the 2018 session which removed presidential term limits.

How It Works

The National People's Congress operates as China’s top legislative body, convening annually to review and approve major state policies, budgets, and personnel appointments. Though it meets only once a year, its decisions are guided by the Chinese Communist Party’s broader strategic agenda, particularly the Five-Year Plan and annual Central Economic Work Conference outcomes.

Term: The 13th National People's Congress runs from 2018 to 2023, with annual sessions held each spring. Each session typically lasts about 10–14 days, focusing on policy review and approval.
Delegates are elected indirectly by local people’s congresses, not through direct public voting, and serve five-year terms.
Agenda items are pre-approved by the Communist Party leadership, ensuring alignment with central policy goals before public discussion.
The Presidium oversees proceedings, managing debates and ensuring adherence to procedural rules during the session.
Standing Committee functions year-round, passing laws and making decisions between annual NPC sessions, though major changes require full NPC approval.
Voting is largely ceremonial, with near-unanimous approval rates—typically over 98%—for proposed legislation and leadership appointments.
Key reports are presented, including the Government Work Report, budget, and Supreme People’s Court and Procuratorate reports.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 NPC with the previous two sessions to highlight policy continuity and shifts.

Year	Dates	Key Policy Focus	GDP Target	Notable Events
2017	March 5–15	Anti-corruption, supply-side reform	6.5% or higher	Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power ahead of 19th Party Congress
2018	March 5–20	Constitutional reform, anti-graft	6.5%	Removal of presidential term limits
2019	March 5–15	Economic stimulus, tax cuts, poverty reduction	6–6.5%	Trade war response, no leadership changes
2020	May 22–28	Post-pandemic recovery	No target set	First session delayed due to COVID-19
2021	March 5–11	14th Five-Year Plan launch	6%+ (recovery goal)	Focus on self-reliance in tech and agriculture

The 2019 session emphasized economic resilience amid U.S.-China trade tensions, shifting focus from structural reforms to stabilizing growth. Unlike 2018, which had historic constitutional changes, 2019 prioritized practical governance over political restructuring.

Why It Matters

The 2019 NPC was a critical moment for China’s economic strategy, occurring during heightened trade tensions with the United States and slowing domestic growth. Its decisions influenced fiscal policy, regulatory reform, and social spending for the year ahead.

Set a realistic growth target of 6–6.5% to manage expectations amid external pressures and declining industrial output.
Approved tax cuts totaling 2 trillion RMB (~$290 billion) to support small businesses and boost consumer spending.
Emphasized job creation with a target of over 11 million new urban jobs to counter rising unemployment risks.
Reaffirmed poverty reduction goals, aiming to lift the remaining 16.6 million rural poor above the poverty line by 2020.
Advanced environmental goals by setting a 3% reduction target in major pollutants and expanding green energy investment.
Strengthened innovation policy by increasing R&D funding and supporting high-tech sectors like AI and 5G.

While the NPC remains a symbol of China’s political structure rather than a forum for debate, its annual session plays a vital role in legitimizing and publicizing national policy directions. The 2019 session underscored Beijing’s focus on stability, economic pragmatism, and long-term strategic goals.