The Beijing Hour NPC ends annual session, passes key laws and sets future agenda
Mar 12, 2026
Jen Copestake, a field reporter from rural Shaanxi who highlights grassroots voices and elderly care, and Ma Ji-hong, vice president of the China Law Society who explains legal frameworks for foreign-related business. They discuss the 15th Five-Year Plan’s approval, new national laws including environmental and development planning codes, and legal steps to support Chinese enterprises abroad.
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NPC Approves 15th Five-Year Blueprint
- China's 14th National People's Congress approved the 15th Five-Year Plan as a blueprint through 2030 guiding economic and social development.
- The session also adopted major laws like the Ecological and Environmental Code and the National Development Planning Law, signaling legal institutionalization of policy.
Environmental Code Makes Climate Goals Legal
- The Ecological and Environmental Code codifies past reforms and makes green commitments legally binding, including carbon peaking and neutrality drives.
- Lu Zhongmei highlighted extraterritorial clauses and standards to align Chinese firms with global measures like the EU carbon border adjustment.
Speed Project Starts By Joint Approvals
- Streamline approvals for land, forest and mine use to accelerate project starts during the 15th Five-Year Plan.
- Natural Resources Minister Guan Zhuo proposes joint approval and licensing for special planning to shorten approval time.