The Two Sessions: A Platform for People-Centred Policy Discussions
Every year, the “two sessions” in Beijing bring together national lawmakers and political advisors to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the country. These meetings are not just about setting macroeconomic targets or outlining national blueprints; they also serve as a platform for addressing the everyday concerns of ordinary citizens.
During these gatherings, President Xi Jinping, who is also a national lawmaker, engages with lawmakers and shares his thoughts on various social issues. His focus often includes safe housing, transport, employment, healthcare, and education — all of which play a crucial role in shaping daily life for many people across China.
A Village’s Transformation: From Cliff to Progress
More than 2,100 kilometers away from Beijing lies Atulie’er, a small mountain village in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. This village, known as the “cliff village,” was once infamous for its challenging living conditions. Residents had to climb rattan ladders that clung to sheer cliffs to reach the outside world. This situation deeply concerned President Xi, who took it upon himself to address the issue.
During the 2017 “two sessions,” while participating in a deliberation with Sichuan lawmakers, Xi expressed his concern after seeing media reports about the villagers’ difficult circumstances. He recalled feeling distressed when he first saw images of the village. However, he felt relieved after learning that a new steel ladder with handrails had been completed by the end of 2016, significantly improving the villagers’ access to the outside world.
Perched at an altitude of 1,600 meters, Atulie’er symbolized the challenges faced by many impoverished areas in western China. After Xi assumed leadership, the country launched a nationwide poverty alleviation campaign, aiming to lift all rural residents above the absolute poverty line within a decade. Nearly 100 million people were targeted for this effort, and the entire nation mobilized to support it.
Xi frequently traveled to inspect poverty alleviation efforts firsthand. He also used key occasions such as the “two sessions” to push for progress, coordinate actions, and gather feedback from the grassroots level.
A New Chapter for Atulie’er
At the 2022 gathering, Xi was briefed on the latest developments in Atulie’er. As part of a state-led relocation program, villagers had begun moving to a nearby county seat. Additionally, the community started exploring tourism as a new source of income.
After reviewing before-and-after photos of the village, Xi asked detailed questions about children’s schooling and access to medical services for the elderly. This time, he appeared reassured.
“The village has truly taken a big step forward — thanks to the Party and the country’s policies. We’re planning projects such as a canyon adventure camp and a cultural experience camp, and life is getting better and better,” said Jilie Ziri, a lawmaker from Liangshan.
A People-Centred Approach
Over the years, improving people’s livelihoods has remained central to Xi’s agenda during the “two sessions.” He has closely followed developments in Shibadong Village in Hunan Province, where many young migrants have returned from the more prosperous eastern coastal regions to start businesses, injecting new vitality into their hometown.
His focus on livelihood issues spans diverse regions and varying development needs. During the “two sessions” in 2021, Xi joined lawmakers from Qinghai Province and asked questions about daily life in a small village on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Residents there have engaged in distinctive local industries, ranging from ethnic-style embroidery to solar power projects, tailored to the region’s unique conditions.
The people-centred approach was also evident during last year’s “two sessions,” when Xi met Li Xiaona, a lawmaker from Jiangsu Province. He asked in detail about conditions in her community and set out specific expectations.
Senior canteens, he said, should operate in ways suited to local circumstances and remain financially sustainable. Home-based elderly care services should be strengthened, and more professionals in geriatric medicine and nursing should be trained.
Future Focus: The 15th Five-Year Plan
This year, a major focus of the “two sessions” will be the adoption of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a key blueprint guiding China’s drive toward modernization.
“Chinese modernization puts people’s well-being first. All the work of the Party and the government is aimed at ensuring the people a happier life,” Xi has said.
Last October, the Party’s leadership passed a set of recommendations for drafting the plan, which included a dedicated section on ensuring and improving public well-being. This section covers employment, income distribution, education, social security, housing, and healthcare — all of which are closely tied to people’s daily lives.
Last month, Xi visited a downtown area in Beijing during his pre-Spring Festival inspection. He dropped by an elderly home and a community canteen where diners aged 60 and above, as well as those in new forms of employment such as delivery workers, are offered a discount.
Xi carefully examined the dishes and asked staff members whether the canteen’s operations were sustainable. He also spoke with delivery workers resting in the restaurant, asking about their work and daily lives.
A Commitment to Serving the People
The CPC has recently launched a five-month Party-wide campaign to guide its members, especially officials, in establishing and practicing a correct view on what it means to perform well. Officials across the governance hierarchy are urged to maintain a people-centred approach and take more concrete action to meet public needs.
“The CPC regards serving the people and improving their well-being as the most important measure of performance, and uses the extent to which officials deliver tangible benefits for the people as an important benchmark in evaluating their performance,” Xi said.
