China's two sessions to determine direction of world politics, economy

ABUJA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing annual sessions of National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in Beijing, capital of China, would determine the direction of world politics and economy for years, Yusuf Alli, a senior Nigerian national newspaper editor said on Tuesday.

Alli, editor of The Nation Newspaper, who doubles as managing director of operations at the news organization in northern part of Nigeria, told Xinhua in Abuja that being the second largest economy in the world, China is the focus of global leaders, especially as the east Asian country holds its 12th NPC.

"The NPC is one of the biggest parliament in the world, with around 3,000 parliamentarians meeting. And it is like the whole world is meeting, in the sense that the shape of things at the congress will probably determine sociopolitical direction in the world," the award-winning journalist said.

According to him, everybody has taken more than a curious interest in the NPC, because it is usually used to layout policies for the future of China, since the country has emerged as one that cannot be ignored among nations.

"I can say China's global influence is expanding and everybody is interested in this ongoing congress in Beijing. China is a country no one can ignore," Alli added.

The Chinese national congress might also go a long way to determine the future economic development of African nations, he said, noting the economic policies of China, which form part of the discussions at the meeting, would be highly beneficial to Africans who see China as their friend.

He expressed optimism that the congress will further strengthen the Sino-Africa cooperation, and also pave way for greater future development in China, which has become one of the biggest economies in the world.

"For those of us in the third world, we are friends with China, a country that has been providing alternatives for us. We used to be enslaved by the western powers, but now we're looking eastward.

"So, for Sino-Africa cooperation, Nigeria is more eager about China's economic development and policy. And more so, I'm personally looking forward to what would be their new economic policy toward the third world countries, which my country Nigeria belongs to," he said, adding the China Nexim Bank has helped a lot of African countries have access to funds, with Nigeria accessing more than 500 million U. S. dollars in recent years.

Alli, who is a widely-traveled journalist, further expressed delight in the cooperation between China and Africa, saying most times the conditions attached to loans given by China to African countries and the payable period are usually better than the ones given by International Monetary Fund or World Bank.

The journalist also expressed optimism that the new officials elected at the NPC would chart a new course for China and take the country to the next level in human, socio-economic and technological developments, among others.

The NPC is annually held in the Great Hall of the People located in Beijing, with around 3,000 members.

The congress is noted as the largest parliament in the world, as the NPC gathers along with the CPPCC whose members represent various groups of society in China.

NPC, China's legislature, and CPPCC, the country's political advisory body, together are often called the Lianghui (two sessions), making important political decisions at national level.