China's National People's Congress closes, passing legal amendments to ensure thoroughness of President Xi's guiding ideology. This year's budget proposal, which includes a 7.2% increase in defense spending compared to last year, was approved with an overwhelming majority.
A bill was passed to revise the State Council Organization Law, which requires the Chinese government to adhere to President Xi Jinping's leadership ideology. Some are pointing out that the presence of Premier Li Qiang, who is number two in the Communist Party and heads the government, will further decline.