China’s foreign policy strategy after ‘Two Sessions’ 

Lee Seong-hyon

Director of the Center for Chinese Studies, the Sejong Institute 

Abstract

Although the Chinese economy is expected to grow at least 8% this year due to the low base effect of COVID-19, the Chinese government announced a humble goal of ‘medium-speed growth’ of ‘more than 6%’ at the Two Sessions. This can be interpreted as China’s willingness to respond to the external uncertainties caused by the conflict between the U.S. and China, and to have room for qualitative growth through structural reform. In other words, China, which achieved economic growth of +3.2% alone in 2020, intends to focus on qualitative growth rather than excessive quantitative growth and prepare for a mid- to long-term war with the U.S. This will also lead China to achieve ‘self-reliance (自立自强)’ through science and technology, which has been set as the strategic core of national development. Meanwhile, China's unanimous approval of the Hong Kong election reform plan, despite predicted opposition from the U.S. and the international community, suggests that China's aggressive foreign policy will continue due to future conflicts between the U.S. and China.

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