The call for institutional reforms comes after China’s economy grew 3 per cent last year – one of its feeblest rates in nearly half a century – weakened by strict COVID-19 curbs championed by Xi that were lifted in December.
The premier’s government work report will unveil the official 2023 economic growth target, among many other social and economic objectives.
The gross domestic product target could be as high as 6 per cent, compared with a 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent range proposed in November, sources told Reuters this week.
At this year’s parliamentary meeting, amendments to China’s Legislative Law, which governs how laws are enacted, will also be further reviewed.
One proposed amendment involves allowing the NPC Standing Committee to pass laws in the event of an “emergency” after a single review.
The committee, which enacts and amends laws when parliament is not in session, voted in June 2020 to adopt landmark laws on national security in Hong Kong. That legislation was put to the vote after two rounds of deliberation.