The National People's Congress, which decides important policies in China, has begun, and Prime Minister Li Keqiang has announced that he will set the economic growth rate of this year at around 5%.
This is a reduction from last year's target of around 5.5%.
The National People's Congress in China began at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 10:00 am on the 5th of Japan time, with about 3,000 people attending, including members of the highest leadership of the Communist Party, including President Xi Jinping.
Among them, outgoing Prime Minister Li Keqiang made a government work report.
Looking back on last year, Premier Li said, "With President Xi at the center, we have faced difficulties, curbed the novel coronavirus, stabilized the economy, and made new achievements that cannot be easily achieved for the development of our country." emphasized.
He then announced a focus target for economic growth of around 5% this year.
This is a reduction from last year's target of around 5.5% and lower than the International Monetary Fund's 5.2% growth forecast for this year.
The government work report also points out challenges, such as, "Current development is facing various difficulties and trials. The foundation for stable growth of the domestic economy needs to be further strengthened."
Last year, the economy stagnated due to the effects of the "zero corona" policy, etc., and the target was significantly lower than the target, so this time, it seems that the target was set relatively easily.
On the other hand, regarding Taiwan, he reiterated his stance of aiming for unification, stating that he "resolutely opposes 'independence' and will promote the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland."