BEIJING – China’s capital has taken on a fortress-like feel during the annual Two Sessions, the headline meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
What usually starts as standard planning for a scripted legislative gathering has grown into one of the heaviest security crackdowns in years. As a result, the scale of the controls is drawing attention to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) growing worries about stability.
The CPPCC opened on March 4, followed by the NPC on March 5, with sessions expected to run into mid-March. During these meetings, delegates sign off on the government work report, set economic goals (including a 4.5% to 5% GDP growth range for 2026), and approve the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 to 2030).
The plan centers on high-quality development, tech self-reliance, and military modernization. Still, the mood outside the meeting halls looks less like confidence and more like caution, with security taking center stage.
Strict Security Checks Slow the City Down
Security around Tiananmen Square and central Beijing has reached a new level. Residents and witnesses describe checkpoints where staff remove phone cases, flip through personal notebooks, and inspect devices in detail. Because of repeated stops, bag checks, and ID scans, a short 1.5-kilometer trip that once took 10 to 15 minutes can now take 40 minutes or longer.
At the same time, the measures stretch well beyond the square. Pedestrian overpasses across Beijing now have uniformed guards on duty around the clock, often posted in pairs. Many locals call them “bridge watchers,” since overpasses can be used to hang banners or stage small protests.
Reports say these guards can stop pedestrians, ask for identification, inspect phones, and search bags. Some are said to earn up to 360 RMB (about $50) for 24-hour shifts. The setup recalls the aftermath of the 2022 Sitong Bridge protest, when a lone activist hung anti-regime banners shortly before a major Party congress.
In addition, authorities have tightened rules on the air above the city. Bans on unauthorized drones, balloons, kites, and other low-altitude flying objects are adding another layer of control. Meanwhile, traffic limits and a larger police presence have disrupted daily routines, leaving many residents feeling like they are moving through a sealed zone.
Petitioners Face Wider Crackdowns, From Detentions to Forced Promises
The security push is not limited to Beijing. Across the country, petitioners (people who travel to seek help for complaints like land seizures or corruption) are facing stronger pressure during the Two Sessions. Reports from places such as Inner Mongolia and Shanghai describe detentions, forced returns arranged by local “interceptors,” and people going missing for stretches of time.
Many who try to reach the capital get stopped on the way. Some are held for days or weeks, while others end up under house arrest. In some cases, authorities reportedly demand “non-petitioning pledges,” meaning coerced promises not to file appeals during sensitive political periods.
Other accounts mention power shutoffs meant to isolate households, while some petitioners report being sent to psychiatric facilities or placed in black jails, which are unofficial detention sites.
These actions are meant to stop any public display of dissent that might interrupt the official messaging. Rights advocates say the pressure rises every year during major political events, yet many describe this year’s effort as broader and more intense.
Why the Anxiety Looks Higher This Year
Observers point to several problems stacking up at the same time, which may explain why the authorities are acting with more urgency.
- Military shakeups and purges: Over recent months, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has seen major removals and investigations. Reports describe top generals losing posts, with probes reaching figures tied to President Xi Jinping. Since 2022, more than 100 senior officers have reportedly been affected. Meanwhile, anti-corruption drives have also reduced the number of delegates linked to the military. Taken together, the moves suggest deeper concerns about loyalty inside the armed forces.
- Economic and budget stress: China continues to face slow growth, a troubled property sector, youth unemployment, and deflation risks. The 2026 GDP goal of 4.5% to 5% signals a more cautious tone, with leaders stressing “quality” over speed. On top of that, local government debt and pressure to support the economy add to fears about social tension.
- Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader: The reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes has also unsettled Beijing. China condemned the action as a “grave violation” of sovereignty and called for de-escalation. For Chinese leaders, the event highlights fears of outside pressure, sudden shocks, and the risk of destabilizing plots.
Together, these issues appear to be pushing political security to the front of the agenda. That shift has turned routine meetings into a public display of control.
The sweeping measures show a leadership placing political security above everything else. On paper, the Two Sessions present unity and a clear policy direction. In daily life, however, the heavy presence of checks and surveillance can wear on residents, especially when many already feel squeezed by economic uncertainty.
Inside the Great Hall of the People, delegates follow a carefully managed script. Outside, the streets reflect something else: tighter restrictions, constant monitoring, and a government operating on high alert.
