The Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress delivered a “Report on the Work of the Government.” Notable advancement was made in conducting economic diplomacy with the Silk Road Economic Belt, 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Silk Road Fund. More significant openness to the outside world and expanded economic diplomacy are priorities of diplomatic work in 2015.

Casual observers of the proceedings of the annual National People’s Congress (NPC) may be tempted to dismiss them as a ritualistic exercise with little impact on the lives of the Chinese people. Such a conclusion, while not totally groundless, nevertheless misses an important public policy debate revealed during this year’s NPC session – reforming China’s troubled retirement system. The challenge confronting Beijing is simply the lack of money to fund the explosive growth of pension benefits.

In Western media, the National People's Congress -- China's legislative body which just ended its annual three week session -- is perfunctorily conjoined with the phrase "rubber stamp." This characterization is less and less true every year and does a disservice to understanding the most significant historic shift taking place in China today: the long march toward "rule according to law" from administrative fiat.

China’s defense budget growth has been a way to realize its military modernization and overall national rejuvenation. China does not intend to threaten any other country in the world, writes Wu Chengyi.

There are of course still many problems in China such as corruption, polarization and privileged classes. We need the rule of law to constantly develop and improve, and we need to rebuild our morals and values, writes Chen Qun.

Premier Li Keqiang has revealed more information about his ‘Likonomics’ plan, and the future prospects for China's economic reform, writes Li Zheng.

Examining the government work report from the National People’s Congress, Zhang Monan outlines the major issues facing China’s leadership as it continues economic reforms.

The reform of State-Owned Enterprises has become a major focus for the Chinese government. Ding Yifan explores what the reform may mean, and shows why the government is addressing the issue now.

China’s former model of growth is not sustainable and balanced. China has to shift its growth model to one that is quality-based, environment-friendly, and consumption-driven, writes He Weiwen.

The meeting of the Third Plenum late in 2013 made clear that the reform agenda that Li Keqiang and his colleagues are facing is a formidable one – formidable enough to have set up a leading group entirely focused on reform alone, writes Kerry Brown.