China’s Annual Legislative Meeting Signals Return to Normalcy, But with a Twist
After nearly four years of isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, China’s annual legislative meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People seemed to signal a return to normalcy. Delegates, officials, reporters, and diplomats gathered without face masks, shaking hands and posing for photos as if the pandemic was a distant memory.
However, beneath the surface, it was clear that China had changed during its period of isolation. The meeting, a high-profile political stage, showcased a more insular and tightly controlled China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. Despite the appearance of openness, there were signs of a more regimented and centralized government.
Attendees still had to undergo government-arranged Covid tests to enter the Great Hall, and certain traditions, like the public announcement of the government’s economic growth target, were altered. The premier, China’s No. 2 official, no longer held a press conference at the end of the session, breaking a three-decade tradition of interaction with journalists.
While officials emphasized China’s openness to the world and readiness for business, the reality outside the Great Hall told a different story. Restrictions on the press, both Chinese and foreign, have tightened, with limited information from the government and increased scrutiny on interactions with foreigners.
Despite acknowledging challenges like a debt-laden real estate industry and weak consumer demand, China’s leaders sought to project stability and attract foreign investors. However, the carefully orchestrated nature of the legislative meeting and the controlled interactions with delegates raised questions about the true openness of China’s government.
As the meeting concluded, attempts to interview delegates outside the Great Hall were met with reluctance and evasiveness. The carefully curated question-and-answer sessions inside contrasted with the lack of transparency and openness outside, highlighting the complexities of China’s political landscape under President Xi’s rule.
While the return to normalcy may seem reassuring on the surface, the nuances of China’s annual legislative meeting reveal a country that has evolved and adapted during its period of isolation, raising questions about the true nature of its openness and readiness for the world.
