In Hong Kong, three activists convicted, women’s rights protest canceled

Here’s what else you need to know about China today:

Top story: The Two Sessions has begun, and thousands of China’s top officials have convened in Beijing for the largest political gatherings of the year. We’ve summarized the important information that has emerged so far. Scroll down for a summary or click through for the whole thing.

Three Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have been convicted under the territory’s National Security Law. Chow Hang-tung (鄒幸彤 Zōu Xìngtóng), Tang Ngok-kwan （邓岳君 Dèng Yuèjūn）, and Tsui Hon-kwong (徐汉光 Xú Hànguāng), former leaders of a now-disbanded group that organized annual vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China, were charged for failing to inform police about the group’s activities and other relevant data.

A women’s rights group in Hong Kong canceled a demonstration at the last minute, after police warned that “violent groups” might attend the protest. The Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association had originally received authorities’ permission to hold a protest on Sunday ahead of International Women’s Day, but have since issued a statement canceling the march, without giving a reason.

The U.S. added 37 entities to its trade blacklist. At least 18 China-based firms have been included for supporting “the PRC’s military modernization efforts” or for “supplying or attempting to supply a sanctioned entity in Iran.” Other Chinese entities have been added for human rights violations, for contributing to Pakistan’s missile program, and for aiding the Russian military.

Coal companies declared huge profits, state-owned automaker Dongfeng fired its chairman after a slow transition to electric vehicles, and a car from mobile phone giant Xiaomi car is ahead of schedule. Click through for details in today’s Business Briefs from the Chinese media.