China’s Premier Leaves Press Conference Unanswered, Tightening Control Over Media
For over three decades, China’s No. 2 figure has traditionally held a press conference after the National People’s Congress in Beijing, answering questions from reporters and providing a rare opportunity for the Chinese people to hear directly from top officials on pressing issues facing the country. However, this year was different as Chinese Premier Li Qiang departed the Great Hall of the People in Beijing without fielding a single question, signaling a shift towards tighter control under leader Xi Jinping.
The National People’s Congress session played out in a familiar fashion, with nearly 3,000 representatives convening in the Great Hall of the People to discuss government work. However, the cancellation of Li Qiang’s press conference without explanation highlighted the growing dissonance between the Chinese government’s commitment to openness and transparency and its tightening control over the media.
While government officials celebrated economic prospects during the conference, key issues like a shrinking population, soaring debt levels, deteriorating trade relations, and falling housing prices were scarcely mentioned. Decision-making power is increasingly concentrated in Xi Jinping’s hands, with senior officials reinforcing his authority during the session.
China’s economy faces fundamental weaknesses that are becoming more apparent, leading officials to project confidence even as challenges mount. Li Qiang set an ambitious economic growth target for 2024, aiming for 5% growth while shifting towards advanced manufacturing and technology sectors to reduce reliance on traditional drivers like real estate.
To achieve these goals, China plans to issue 1 trillion yuan in special government bonds focused on technological innovation and food security. Leaders like Xi Jinping are emphasizing the development of homegrown technologies to drive economic growth in the future.
The NPC session also revealed the constraints facing delegates, with their largely symbolic role becoming further limited in this new phase of Chinese politics. An incident involving a reporter questioning the cancellation of Li Qiang’s press conference highlighted the lack of transparency and openness in the government’s approach.
Notably, last year’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was known for his nationalist rhetoric, disappeared from public view with no explanation from the government. During this year’s conference, new Foreign Minister Wang Yi fielded safe questions from friendly journalists, focusing on China’s narrative in the new era.
Overall, the National People’s Congress showcased the growing control and centralization of decision-making under Xi Jinping, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in China’s governance. As the country navigates economic challenges and shifts towards a new growth model, the political landscape continues to evolve under Xi’s leadership.