China's 'Two Sessions' Opens Amid Iran Crisis and US Trade Tensions
China's annual 'Two Sessions' political meetings opened in Beijing with economy, technology, military, and corruption high on the agenda, overshadowed by the escalating Iran war and ongoing US-China trade tensions. Top diplomat Wang Yi urged Israel to help end the war. US and Chinese trade negotiators are expected to meet in Paris in mid-March, and the planned Trump-Xi summit appears to be proceeding despite the Iran strikes. Analysts note that Trump's Middle East actions could give China leverage over US priorities including critical minerals and Taiwan, and could accelerate China's transition away from fossil fuels.
Key Facts
- 1China's Two Sessions meetings began in Beijing with thousands of delegates discussing the economy, technology, military, and corruption
- 2Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi urged Israel to help bring about an immediate end to the war in Iran
- 3US and Chinese trade negotiators — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, USTR Jamieson Greer, and Vice-Premier He Lifeng — are expected to meet in Paris in mid-March
- 4The planned Trump-Xi summit appears to be moving forward despite the Iran strikes
- 5Analysts noted Trump's Middle East actions could give China leverage over US priorities, including critical minerals and Taiwan
- 6The war could accelerate China's transition away from fossil fuels by highlighting its structural vulnerability to imported oil
- 7Investors are watching the 'two sessions' for signals on property sector policy and drug pricing reforms
- 8North Korea separately announced it will elect delegates to its national legislative assembly this month
Coverage
Covered by The Guardian, South China Morning Post, AP News, and Channel News Asia, tracking geopolitical and economic implications from Beijing to Washington.
Sources (10)
North Korea to elect delegates to legislative assembly
Channel News Asia · 1d ago
China and US to hold high-level trade talks in Paris before Trump’s Beijing visit
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
Healthcare investors keeping an eye on ‘two sessions’ for clarity on drug pricing
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
China to unveil priorities for coming 5 years at major annual political meeting
AP News · 1d ago
China’s Two Sessions: what are the meetings and why do they matter?
The Guardian · 1d ago
Investors watch China’s ‘two sessions’ for clues on property overhaul
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
China’s war on corruption – is this just the end of the beginning?
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
US and China trade chiefs to meet mid-March before Trump-Xi summit
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
China urges Israel to end war in Iran as regional tensions escalate
South China Morning Post · 1d ago
China calls for vessels in strait of Hormuz to be protected amid soaring shipping costs
The Guardian · 1d ago