Course set for the next 5 years

The annual meetings of the country's legislative and political advisory bodies - which began on March 3 - are especially important this year because the proposed 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) charting the nation's economic and social progress will be submitted to legislators for approval.

Delegates will also hear Premier Li Keqiang's Government Work Report on accomplishments in the past year and on what the government aims to achieve in 2016, including the closely watched GDP growth target.

The sessions begin on March 3, with the annual gathering of political advisers of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, followed on March 5 by the National People's Congress, the top legislature.

Government officials have already announced that the new five-year plan will guide the country's transition. It will not only help avoid problems arising from the global financial crisis, but also place China - in per capita terms - on the threshold of becoming a high-income nation.

How will this be achieved and how is the country expected to contribute to global development in the meantime?

In the run-up to the two sessions, China Daily sought the opinions of academics, diplomats and the business community around the world.

Respondents say they are looking forward to a bigger slice of the Chinese market, but also to improved rule of law and fairness, more openness and cooperation with different parts of the world, increased environmental protection, and more support for developing countries.

As the second-largest economy, China is expected to take on more responsibilities and to do more for its partners.

(China Daily European Weekly 03/04/2016 page1)