China’s National People’s Congress Focuses on Military Loyalty and Economic Strategy
Beijing – The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s annual legislative session, is currently underway in Beijing, with key discussions centering on bolstering political loyalty within the military and navigating complex economic challenges. As of March 9, 2026, the second plenary meeting of the 14th NPC is in session, attended by President Xi Jinping and other top leaders.
Xi Jinping Emphasizes Military Loyalty
President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of enhancing political loyalty within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police Force. This emphasis comes amid a widening anti-corruption purge within the military, signaling a focus on ensuring the armed forces’ allegiance to the Communist Party of China (CPC). Source: AP News. Xi, who also chairs the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech on March 7, 2026, outlining this priority. Source: National People’s Congress
Legislative Agenda and Reports
During the second plenary meeting on March 9, 2026, reports from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Prosecutor’s Office were submitted for consideration. Source: National People’s Congress This indicates a continued focus on legal and judicial oversight alongside broader political and military objectives.
International Participation
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is also participating in the NPC session. Deputy Secretary General Sohail Khan is representing the SCO Secretariat at the event, highlighting the organization’s engagement with China’s legislative processes. Source: National People’s Congress
Broader Context: Economic Challenges and Political Security
These developments occur within a broader context of economic headwinds for China. Recent challenges include record youth unemployment, deflationary pressures, and market volatility. President Xi Jinping previously called for a period of “struggle” to maintain political security and achieve self-reliance, a sentiment echoed in a speech delivered in February 2023 and published in January 2026. Source: TIME This suggests a continued commitment to the current economic and political course, despite internal and external pressures.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing NPC session is expected to further elaborate on China’s economic plans for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), with a particular emphasis on the “Healthy China Initiative.” The focus on military loyalty and political security underscores the CPC’s prioritization of stability and control as it navigates a complex geopolitical landscape and domestic economic challenges.