The Two Sessions, China's biggest political meetings of the year, kicked off on 21 May, later than usual, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two Sessions involves the convening of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). 

Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, explains what the Two Sessions is and how it is going ahead this year amidst the health crisis. 

Read more: What is China's Two Sessions and why is it globally important?

"This year, the Two Sessions is of extraordinary significance, it will be held against the extraordinary backdrop of the outbreak, the pandemic. And so it carries a lot of new messages," Liu said.

Liu also noted that the "sheer number of the delegates attending the session" is very significant, particularly at this time.

"I think this will be the largest gathering of the people since the outbreak."

There will be about 3,000 delegates of the National People's Congress and about 2,000 members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. 

"Five thousand people will be gathering under one roof. So that shows the confidence of China, both in terms of containing the virus and also shows the confidence of China to move forward." 

The Chinese ambassador to the UK also said that there will be a focus on discussing the current COVID-19 fight. 

"Though we have registered major success and what we call the strategic success of containing the virus, there are still sporadic cases," he said.