After several postponements, this year’s Two Sessions (两会 liǎnghuì), which would usually take place at the beginning of March, have finally been penned to commence between May 21-28 – a full week shorter than usual. These major meetings between the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) are designed to review the previous year’s achievements and to layout future goals. As such, they will profoundly impact many aspects of Chinese life in ways that will travel far beyond the conference rooms in the Great Hall of the People, where the meetings are held.

This year is especially important as it marks the last year of the 13th five-year plan (launched in 2016), and the government will be eager to wrap up a number of objectives set out to improve Chinese citizen’s general quality of life, as well as progress in innovation and the environment, all amid fallout from the coronavirus, a trade war with the United States, and growing friction with a number of countries worldwide.

Even though much of what is decided is unlikely to have a direct effect on foreigners here, at least in the short-term, there are restrictions on the ground that it’s best to be prepared for. Given that delegates will begin to arrive in the capital on May 19-20 we can expect to see tighter restrictions taking effect then.

Heavy road control and snarled traffic

We can expect security this year to be especially tight

You can expect much of Beijing’s political heart – Chang’an Jie, Tiananmen Square, Zhongnanhai, and the surrounding areas – as well as the North Second Ring Road and Airport Expressway, to be congested as delegates make their way to and from the meetings. We will know more about which areas will be especially congested as the meetings draw closer.

Potential tamp-down on nightlife and large-scale entertainment events

We can expect ramped-up scrutiny and restrictions

Just as Beijing has started to come out of its shell, we can expect ramped-up scrutiny and restrictions of large-scale events as well as an increased police presence at venues. Historically, it’s also a time when restaurants and bars may be raided and customers tested for drug use. In light of the coronavirus and the ongoing restrictions around seating etc., we can expect this year to be especially tight, though perhaps we won’t even notice for the very same reason.

Use of all aerial vehicles banned

On top of the already strict aerial vehicle regulations in Beijing, which effectively ban all drone use within the Fifth Ring Road, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) has also released a notice banning all other aerial vehicles, including everything from light aircraft and gliders to balloons, between May 20-28.

Slowed deliveries

You can expect your deliveries to travel slower

The China State Post Bureau has announced that it will start conducting further checks on post and packages coming into Beijing starting May 14. That means you can expect your deliveries to travel slower than usual and any mail that arrives without the proper security identification will be returned to the sender.

Schools

International and local schools should be unaffected, especially those in Shunyi district, but keep a close eye on communication from your school for any relevant updates.

Expect the internet to be even worse

Can’t access your favorite social media? Yep, that’s going to be the norm for the next couple of weeks.

KEEP READING: Most Beijing Students to Return by June 8, While Others Still Await Dates

This article originally appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger

Photos: Unsplash, ifeng, jfDaily 

For many people around the world and particularly in the US, last weeks election raised significant concerns. While I said this article was not going to be about politics, I meant it. But instead we need to talk about education.

How’s does education play a role in this discussion? The other day I had a young boy who is considering applying to boarding school in two years. He asked some very good questions about the political process in the US such as how this will affect education in the US and several other poignant questions that were impressive for a Chinese 8th grade student.

Recently a University president talked about the role of education to be able to raise, address, and confront difficult questions. That a college education’s purpose is for students to be uncomfortable while learning about and perhaps changing the dialogue that makes these very same students uncomfortable.

This morning I met with a very good friend visiting Beijing on business. He took his son to Colorado to work on a political campaign, walking door to door to encourage people to vote. Most of the people were of Hispanic background. For many of them, they did not understand the election process or why it was meaningful to them. Mostly because in their countries, the elections work in a different way and so to be asked to go vote was quite foreign for them.

Around the US, people are protesting and dealing with the challenges that confront the American citizenry and the culture. What it has inspired is an amazing learning process; a learning process that has reverberated from the UK over Brexit to the current election in the US.

My student could not understand why some groups of people don’t like other people. The answer to this is hard and explores a plethora of biases that exist in the US. I have been having him read some books like The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and To Kill A Mockingbird by Lee Harper. It is apparent that he has learned a lot from his readings.

At the end of our conversation my student told me that, “we are all human, we eat, have families, and think many of the same things, so why do people hate others?” I suppose there are a number of reasons but one conclusion we discussed is that education is at the heart of each part of what is happening.

Education, for the most part won’t change in the US. The democratic process will undergo scrutiny and comment. Life in America will continue. There are a lot of questions that lie ahead but rather than fear the answer, as a forgone conclusion, people need to learn. Learn from the mistakes of the past.  They need to confront their fears and ask good questions. Be open minded to un-cloud preconceived ideas and judgments.  Education, not just in the classroom, but everywhere one may go, will help. Sadly, there will always be some inkling of prejudice, but the more we learn, experience and question, not only others, but ourselves as well, may we have a chance to live in Peace and human-hood. Reactionary fear solves nothing. Looking to create change requires an education, action, and compassion.

Photo: abovethelaw.com