On 13 March 2026, Mr Zhou Yunliang, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, attended and addressed the Briefing “Understanding China Through the Two Sessions”. The following is the full text of Mr Zhou’s speech:

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Kalimera! Welcome to this briefing “Understanding China Through the Two Sessions”. The Two Sessions mean the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). They are not only a major event in China’s political life each year, but also an important window through which the world observes China. Through the Two Sessions, one can clearly see the unique logic and strong dynamics behind the “governance of China”. Today, I would like to share with you three “codes” of China’s governance.

First, the “institutional code”: combining democracy with collective strength. The Two Sessions are a vivid embodiment of whole-process people’s democracy in China. Around 5,000 NPC deputies and CPPCC members bring with them insights gained from field visits in rural areas, the voices and concerns of neighborhoods and communities, and the thoughts and aspirations from the grassroots. Together they deliberate on major plans for advancing Chinese modernization. President Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders engage in face-to-face, heart-to-heart discussions with primary-level representatives, listening to frontline voices, understanding real conditions, and promoting democratic decision-making. The ability to pool resources to accomplish major undertakings is a key institutional strength of China, and one concrete example of this is the well-conceived formulation and successive implementation of five-year plans. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan reviewed and approved at this year’s Two Sessions proposes 20 major indicators, sets out 16 major strategic tasks, and identifies 109 key projects—ensuring that a single blueprint is carried through to the end and mobilizing the tremendous strength of national development.

Second, the “development code”: focusing on both speed and quality. In 2025, despite a complex and challenging domestic and international environment, China’s GDP grew by 5 percent year-on-year, maintaining a leading position among major economies and contributing around 30 percent to global growth. This year, the growth target is set at 4.5–5 percent, while striving for better results in practice. Apart from ensuring reasonable growth speed, China is also improving the quality of development. Breakthroughs are emerging in frontier fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and brain-computer interfaces, with major scientific achievements appearing one after another and new quality productive forces steadily expanding. In 2025, the added value of the digital product manufacturing industry increased by 9.3 percent year-on-year, while the output of servers and industrial robots grew rapidly. New energy vehicles accounted for more than 50 percent of domestic new car sales, making green development a defining feature of Chinese modernization.

Third, the “diplomatic code”: safeguarding peace while upholding justice. China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and remains firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. On issues of peace and security, China has one of the best records among major countries. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we have never initiated a war, never occupied an inch of another country’s territory, and never engaged in proxy wars. At the same time, China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We firmly oppose hegemonism and power politics. Regarding the situation in Iran, China has maintained an objective and impartial stance, emphasizing that might does not make right, and the law of the jungle must not return and rule the world. China is actively working to promote ceasefires and the cessation of hostilities. We have all along stood on the right side of history, and we are ready to work with all countries to promote world peace and development and to advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Friends,

The deeper one understands China, the better one can move forward together with it. Today, China is creating new opportunities for the world through high-quality development and high-standard opening-up. As things stand, Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the EU Council. And this year, China and Cyprus celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of strategic partnership. In this context, China is ready to work with Cyprus to promote synergy between our development strategies, and accelerate cooperation in areas such as trade, shipping, clean energy, and the digital economy. Let’s jointly practice true multilateralism, uphold international fairness and justice, and bring greater benefits to the peoples of our two countries. Thank you.