Press center for two sessions opens

The press center for the 2026 annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body opened on Friday, accommodating more than 3,000 journalists from China and abroad.

Located at the Media Center Hotel in Beijing, the press center serves reporters covering the "two sessions" — the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, which will open on March 5, and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which will open on March 4.

According to a news release from the press center, more than 3,000 journalists have registered to cover the two sessions, including over 2,000 from the Chinese mainland and more than 1,000 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign media outlets. The press center said it will continue to provide services and support for reporters in an open and transparent manner.

During the sessions, a draft outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development, as well as a draft government work report, are expected to be submitted to lawmakers for review. This year marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

The NPC currently has nearly 3,000 deputies, while the CPPCC National Committee has more than 2,100 members, according to official data.

The press center said three news conferences on the economy, people's livelihood, and foreign affairs will be held during the sessions. Heads of relevant State Council departments will respond to issues of domestic and international concern and explain policy directions.

Kai Lei, a senior journalist with the Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group in Hong Kong, is among the registered reporters this year and has covered the two sessions for more than 20 years. He said he is paying close attention to the opportunities the 15th Five-Year Plan could bring to Hong Kong, as the international hub's government is also preparing its first five-year plan this year.

"As a Hong Kong media outlet, we are watching closely how Hong Kong can better integrate into the country's overall development and how it can better play its role as a bridge linking China with the world during the 15th Five-Year Plan period," he said.

One of his key interests is how Hong Kong can make breakthroughs in science and technological innovation, he said, noting that in December, the Central Economic Work Conference proposed building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international sci-tech innovation center.