Economics to play important role during two sessions

While the economy has always been an important topic during the country's annual two sessions meetings, the topic seems even more crucial given the challenging international situation and big changes happening in China.

The slowing global economy, trade tension with the United States, Britain's messy Brexit divorce from the European Union, and rapid technological change and its significance to society are some of the big issues facing the world.

China is also encountering economic headwinds as it works to shift its economy from a low-cost manufacturing model to an innovation-directed, hightech and consumer-driven model.