China Insider China Insider | China’s Two Sessions, Iran’s Problem with Chinese Weapons Systems, China’s Response to Operation Epic Fury
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Mar 10, 2026 A rundown of China’s Two Sessions, highlighting economic messaging, the new five-year plan, and personnel shifts. A look at Chinese weapons exports to Iran and why some air-defense systems underperformed. An analysis of Beijing’s diplomatic and propaganda response to recent US-Israeli strikes and the limits of China’s hard-power options.
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Two Sessions Are Signal Theater Not Policy Debate
- The Two Sessions are largely performative rubber stamps but reveal signals from the CCP inner circle.
- Miles Yu notes the sessions set the five-year plan, spin weak growth as success with a 4.5–5% target and tighten information control on economic data.
Five-Year Plan Prioritizes AI Growth And Defense
- The five-year plan emphasizes shifting to high-quality production, AI investment, and higher defense spending.
- Miles highlights that five-year plans are command-economy hallmarks and signal resource prioritization despite opaque budgeting.
PLA Purges Reveal Internal Backlash Against Xi
- Ongoing purges in the PLA continue with nine senior officers publicly removed and other absentees unexplained.
- Miles interprets absences and unlisted purges as signs of internal backlash against Xi's consolidation of military power.