The meetings, known as the "Two Sessions", are concurrent gatherings of China's rubber-stamp parliament and a separate political advisory body.

Voting is tightly controlled and legislation is pre-approved by the Communist Party.

But the closely watched political gathering will still offer a window into the priorities of top leaders in the face of new geopolitical headwinds and efforts to reignite a struggling economy.

Here's what you need to know:

- What are the 'Two Sessions'? -

The first session, due to begin Tuesday, is a gathering of China's political advisory committee, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The group has in the past included famous celebrities like actor Jackie Chan and NBA legend Yao Ming and its discussions are relatively low-stakes.

Representatives -- including from Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan -- provide lawmakers with policy suggestions that, more often than not, have little impact on national policy.

All eyes, however, will be on the meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, starting Wednesday.

Around two-thirds of the legislature's members come from the Communist Party.

No bill put forward by the party has ever been rejected by the parliament, which is why it is often described as a "rubber-stamp" body.

- How significant is it? -

The week-long meetings will mostly be held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People -- a cavernous building located at the western edge of Tiananmen Square.

China takes extensive measures to prevent any disruptive incidents from happening during the highly choreographed parliamentary sessions.

The meetings are tightly controlled and managed, with meticulous planning to ensure an image of political unity is portrayed.

State media promotes the gatherings as proof of the party's responsiveness to the people, despite its monopoly on power.

Stepped-up police presence and increased traffic control are anticipated in the lead-up to and during the event in the capital.

During the NPC's opening session, Premier Li Qiang will deliver a government work report, a speech expected to unveil key economic targets and outline plans to achieve them.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also hold a press conference during the event next week.

This year is expected to be the second consecutive one without a press conference with the country's premier -- once a highlight of the closing session.

- What are the top issues? -

Observers will be keeping an eye out for clues on the measures China will take to bolster its economy, which has struggled to make a full recovery since the pandemic.

The world's second-largest economy is grappling with sluggish domestic demand, a prolonged property sector crisis and high youth unemployment.

It is also facing the threat of more tariffs from the United States, which could hit hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the two countries.

The conference will see Beijing set official growth targets for 2025, following a reported national GDP expansion of five percent last year -- the lowest rate since 1990, excluding the pandemic years.

China is also expected to announce its annual military budget next week, as Beijing eyes deepening tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Investors will also be watching for signs of further support for the private sector, following President Xi Jinping's rare talks with Chinese tech tycoons last week.

Investors were optimistic the meeting signalled a shift from Xi, who has strengthened the role of state enterprises and waged crackdowns on areas of the private sector undergoing "disorderly" expansion.