The second session of the 14th Hubei Provincial People’s Congress opened on Jan 30 in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei province.

A total of 702 deputies attended the opening meeting. Wang Menghui, Party secretary of Hubei province, formally declared the event inaugurated and Wang Zhonglin, governor of the province, delivered the annual work report for 2023.

Of particular note, 29 special observers, including French consul-general Jean-Yves Roux, UK consul-general Dominic James McAllister, ROK consul-general Ha Sungju, acting consul-general Ray Sudweeks of the US Consulate-General to Wuhan, director Kwok Wai Fan of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, and manager Linda Li of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Wuhan Office, among other officials from foreign consular agencies in Hubei, trade representatives, senior executives of foreign businesses, and international experts and scholars, representing 11 countries and regions, sat in on the opening meeting.

Observer delegates at the opening meeting

This was the biggest observer audience in terms of participating countries and attendance in the last five years. A 6% GDP growth rate YoY, dedication to green, low-carbon development, and comprehensive regional cooperation, among other highlights from the government work report, captivated the observer delegates’ interest. They applauded a more open, dynamic Hubei and vowed to play a more proactive part in Hubei’s development. 

director-general Zhang Xiaomei of Hubei FAO with observer delegates

2024 marks the 13th consecutive year that Hubei has invited international delegates and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao to observe the opening session of the Provincial People’s Congress. As of this year, approximately 400 individuals have participated in the opening meeting, gaining deeper insights into Hubei’s development achievements and priorities and goals for the coming year. This engagement has played a pivotal role in the efforts to enhance Hubei’s profile and influence, make Hubei’s voice heard, and build the province into a new frontier of China’s inland opening-up.