China: The State of the People's Republic

China's National People's Congress (NPC) convenes on March 5. As China's top legislative body, the NPC issues its approval (though never its rejection) on new laws and discusses topics that include housing and real estate, strategic industries, the urban-rural divide, regional development, economic restructuring, and other issues. This year's NPC comes at a critical juncture — China is struggling to maintain growth and stability while addressing the excesses of its economic stimulus policies. With only two years remaining until a Communist Party leadership transition, the pressure is rising on the current leadership to address China's problems effectively without taking on more than it can handle.