The ninth meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress was recently held in Beijing from April 23 to 26. This meeting was preceded by the 23rd Chairman’s Meeting of the Standing Committee, which took place on April 16 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During this meeting, it was decided that the ninth meeting of the Standing Committee of the NPC would be held in April.
In other news, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the GDP in the first quarter of this year increased by 5.3% year-on-year. This growth was attributed to increases in the added value of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. The report also highlighted that the sales price of second-hand housing in first-tier cities saw a decrease in March, with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen all experiencing declines.
Additionally, the Chinese government provided humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, continuing its efforts to support Palestine. The government sent multiple batches of emergency supplies to help alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. On a domestic front, Qin Rupei, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is currently under investigation for suspected violations of discipline and law.
The retail price limit of domestic refined oil products was raised again, leading to increases in the prices of gasoline and diesel. Measures are also being taken to ensure the smooth operation of hotel TVs so that individuals can easily access live TV channels while staying at hotels.
In local news, the physical education examination for the Beijing Senior High School Entrance Examination is scheduled to take place from April to May, with provisions for candidates with temporary injuries to apply for postponement. In a societal update, the student involved in the “Students and Drunk Conflict Case” in Jinan has been released on bail pending trial.
In finance, the China Securities Regulatory Commission clarified that the adjustment to delisting indicators is not specifically targeting small-cap stocks but aims to improve the stability of dividends in listed companies. Finally, with 100 days left until the Paris Olympics, preparations are underway for the torch relay and opening ceremony. Additionally, the Chinese U23 men’s football team recently lost to Japan, while in international news, Lee Hsien Loong is set to serve as Singapore’s State Counselor after retiring as Prime Minister. Furthermore, the International Atomic Energy Agency has launched its first investigation into Japan’s aging nuclear power plants.