Two Sessions but only one message: the party rules supreme

China held its most high-profile annual political gathering this week as thousands of delegates arrived in Beijing for the Two Sessions, a closely observed series of meetings that laid out the government's policy blueprint for the year ahead.

- Helen Davidson, Amy Hawkins

The gathering came against a backdrop of major economic headwinds, decreasing transparency on government indicators, and growing concern among international business and investors.

The event began on Monday as China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), convened alongside a separate but parallel meeting of the country's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The nearly 3,000 NPC delegates can amend the constitution, enact new legislation, approve the government budget and fill vacancies in state offices. But in reality the NPC isa rubber-stamp parliament. It has never voted down any item on the agenda, and the Communist party (CCP) holds the ultimate power. Nevertheless, it is a keenly watched political event.

An agenda published by state media revealed that current vacancies in the state council - China's cabinet - and central military commission will remain vacant for some time, with no personnel appointments announced during the Two Sessions.