Senior Chinese leaders join NPC deliberations, stress reunification and regional development

BEIJING: Senior Chinese leaders on Saturday took part in deliberations during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, discussing issues ranging from cross-Strait relations to regional development and integration.

Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, joined a group deliberation with NPC deputies from the Taiwan delegation. He said China had actively responded to the complex and severe situation in the Taiwan Strait over the past year while working to shape the course of cross-Strait relations.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, takes part in a group deliberation with his fellow deputies from Qinghai Province at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China, March 7, 2026.

Wang called for promoting the peaceful development of ties across the Strait and advancing the cause of national reunification. He also stressed the need to firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference.

Meanwhile, Cai Qi, a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, participated in deliberations with deputies from Qinghai Province. He urged the province to pursue development suited to its local conditions while maintaining ecological priorities.

Cai also emphasized strengthening a sense of community for the Chinese nation and promoting exchanges, interaction and integration among all ethnic groups.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended separate deliberations with deputies from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region. He encouraged both regions to align with the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and better integrate into the country’s overall development strategy.

Ding said Hong Kong should further consolidate its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center, while leveraging its strengths in education, technology and talent to ensure long-term prosperity and stability.

He also called for advancing the development of the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to strengthen regional economic integration.

Wang, Cai and Ding are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier, attends group deliberations with deputies from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China, March 7, 2026.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended group deliberations with deputies from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, respectively. He called on the two regions to actively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan to better integrate into and serve the country's overall development so as to make a greater contribution to advancing Chinese modernization.

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier, attends group deliberations with deputies from Macao Special Administrative Region at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, China, March 7, 2026.

Ding called for continuously consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center and fully leveraging its strengths in education, science and technology, and talent to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of the region. He also called for further advancing the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Wang, Cai and Ding are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.