<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">China's two biggest and most important annual political meetings known as the "two sessions" got underway in capital Beijing on Saturday and will complete the five-yearly leadership transition with a reshuffle of the country's topmost jobs. President Xi Jinping looks set to secure a third term as president, after clinching a precedent-breaking third term as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party at the 20th party congress in October last year.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The annual sessions of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) ' China's top political advisory body which kicked off its session on Saturday ' and the National People's Congress (NPC) ' China's "rubberstamp legislature" which opens on Sunday ' will confirm a range of top jobs, including a new vice president, new premier, new vice-premiers, state councillors, and many other top posts. The top leaders of China's ruling Communist Party had earlier finalized these positions which will be formally endorsed by the NPC now.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">This year's two sessions hold extra significance since they will finalise the succession process for state, national legislature and political advisory bodies. This will be closely watched as it comes at a time when China is looking towards stimulating economic growth after abandoning its chaotic zero-Covid policy which was in force since 2020.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang, who has served two five-year terms, will present his last government work report on Sunday, outlining government's priorities and plans for the coming year as China faces major economic challenges including high unemployment, lack of business confidence and demographic crisis amid growing tensions with the United States over technology sanctions. </p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Who will take over the reins of China's State Council ' its cabinet, will be the most anticipated moment as the person will also hold his first press conference as China's premier during the "two sessions". Xi protégé and former Shanghai party chief Li Qiang is widely expected to be appointed as the country's new premier. At his maiden press conference, Li Qiang will give his vision about the long term goals of world's second-largest economy.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">All eyes are on China's economic growth target for this year, and its defense budget. China on Saturday signaled at increasing its defense budget, the second biggest after the US, citing "complex security challenges".</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The new minister of foreign affairs, Qin Gang, will also host his first press conference during the two sessions, days after returning from the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Analysts say, a far-reaching overhaul involving multiple party organs and state institutions is also on the anvil.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"> </p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Xi said earlier that the overhaul will target the country's finance and technology sectors, among other industries, and the change will have a "profound influence" on the economy.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>