For the first time in recent history, the chairman of China’s top legislative body was absent on Tuesday at the closing of its parliamentary meeting known as the “two sessions”.
Zhao Leji, 68, the third most senior official and the chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), was absent because of a “respiratory tract infection”, according to his deputy, Li Hongzhong, who presided over the closing ceremony instead.
Zhao’s last public appearance was at the first meeting of the NPC presidium on Saturday.
It is the first time in decades that the NPC closing meeting was not attended by all Politburo Standing Committee members.
Zhao’s name, however, was mentioned when Li announced the voting results of the NPC’s annual work report.
The NPC deputies “listened to and reviewed the work report delivered by chairman Zhao Leji on behalf of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The session fully affirmed the work of the standing committee over the past year, endorsed the tasks proposed in the report for the upcoming year and resolved to approve the report,” Li said.
The work report was approved by an overwhelming majority, according to Li.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang left the stage after the conclusion of the ceremony, both appearing relaxed.