China’s National People’s Congress ends with vote on five-year plan

China’s National People’s Congress ends its annual session on Thursday.

Parliament, which is not freely elected under the ruling Communist Party, is expected to vote on laws and plans on the last day of the session.

Near-unanimous approval with only a handful of abstentions or votes against is widely expected.

What is special this year is that the approximately 2,800 parliamentarians will vote not only on the government’s activity report, but also on the 15th five-year plan, which defines the strategy for the economy until 2030.

Among other priorities, China aims to further reduce its dependence on foreign technology by strengthening domestic research and innovation.

The government has set this year’s growth target for the world’s second-largest economy at between 4.5 and 5%, the lowest rate in decades.

In addition to various work reports, the “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” is also up for voting.

Critics say the legislation could lead to new restrictions on China’s ethnic minorities.