Xinhua (February 3) published a list of seven “new buzzwords” that surfaced during recent sessions of the province-level people’s congresses. While there is a discussion in Beijing as to whether a GDP growth target should be mentioned in the Work Report for approval by the NPC, nearly 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities have set this year's economic growth target at more than 6 per cent. Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces, aimed for a more than 6 per cent expansion in 2021 while the growth targets of other provincial-level regions ranged from 6 per cent to more than 9 per cent. Hubei Province, hit hard by COVID-19 last year, and the southern Hainan Province targeted a double-digit growth of more than 10 per cent. The buzzwords include Dual circulation: Provinces are carving out niches within China’s strategy to more closely integrate global trade with the domestic market. Liaoning wants to be a hub for trade with Northeast Asia. Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia unveiled plans for free trade zones.  Carbon peak: Amid China's efforts to meet its 2060 carbon-neutral target, provincial authorities said they would formulate action plans to achieve carbon emission peaks by reducing emissions and expanding renewable energy usage, among other measures. Digital currency: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong plan to promote digital currency pilot applications in their local government work reports. Wealthier provinces are stepping up digital yuan pilot projects. 5G: Everyone wants the base station buildout to move faster. 14th Five-Year Plan: The year 2021 marks the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). The local legislative sessions also reviewed and adopted the provincial-level 14th Five-Year Plan outlines to help hit the goals of the national one. Anti-poverty campaigns: Poorer provinces are transitioning successful poverty alleviation campaigns into ongoing rural revitalization efforts.

(Comment: Provinces convene local legislative sessions to prepare for the National People’s Congress, which begins March 5 this year.)