The 两会 (liǎnghuì) is the centerpiece of China's political theater and a powerful symbol of state authority and national unity. It's not just a set of meetings; it's a demonstration of the country's political system in action. A common Western comparison is to a country's parliament or congress, like the U.S. Congress. However, this comparison can be misleading. While bodies like the U.S. Congress are arenas for fierce, public debate where legislation is often uncertain, the 两会 functions very differently. Key decisions and policies are typically made by the top leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) beforehand. The 两会 serves as the formal venue to announce, legitimize, and ratify these decisions. The role of the National People's Congress (NPC) is to approve legislation, and it rarely, if ever, votes down a proposal from the central government. For this reason, it is sometimes described by Western observers as a “rubber-stamp” legislature. This reflects a core value in the Chinese political system: stability and consensus (as directed from the top) over open, adversarial debate. The event emphasizes collective goals, long-term planning, and the efficient implementation of a unified national strategy. For Chinese citizens, it's a time when the government's plans for everything—from economic growth targets and environmental policy to healthcare and military spending—become clear.
The term 两会 (liǎnghuì) is used almost exclusively in formal contexts, particularly in news media, government reports, and academic discussions about Chinese politics.