This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-26429481
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| China congress reveals growth target and defence boost | China congress reveals growth target and defence boost |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| China announced a growth target of 7.5% and revealed plans to raise its defence budget by 12.2%, as it opened its annual parliament session in Beijing. | China announced a growth target of 7.5% and revealed plans to raise its defence budget by 12.2%, as it opened its annual parliament session in Beijing. |
| Issues such as targeting corruption and the environment are also on the agenda at the National People's Congress. | Issues such as targeting corruption and the environment are also on the agenda at the National People's Congress. |
| While no new laws or legal amendments are expected to be put forward this year, the session will highlight some of the government's 2014 priorities. | While no new laws or legal amendments are expected to be put forward this year, the session will highlight some of the government's 2014 priorities. |
| The congress also marks one year since Xi Jinping was confirmed as president. | The congress also marks one year since Xi Jinping was confirmed as president. |
| The 10-day meeting of around 3,000 legislators from delegations across China began on Wednesday. | The 10-day meeting of around 3,000 legislators from delegations across China began on Wednesday. |
| China describes the NPC as the country's "supreme organ of state power". However, in practice, it is generally considered a rubber stamp for the ruling Communist Party. | China describes the NPC as the country's "supreme organ of state power". However, in practice, it is generally considered a rubber stamp for the ruling Communist Party. |
| 'Painful adjustments' | |
| Premier Li Keqiang is presenting a work report highlighting targets for China's economy this year. | |
| According to an advance copy of his speech, he will say that "deep-seated problems are surfacing" and "painful structural adjustments need to be made" in China's development. | |
| According to the speech, the government will aim to keep inflation at about 3.5%, while boosting domestic growth and carrying out "people-centred urbanisation". | |
| Implementing reforms to tackle local government debt is also expected to be a priority. | |
| China has consistently announced double-digit increases to its official military budget in recent years. However, analysts say its total military spend may in fact be higher. | |
| The latest military budget boost comes amid tensions between China and many of its neighbours, including Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories. | |
| In a press conference on Tuesday, NPC spokeswoman Fu Ying said that China's army was defensive, but warned other countries against damaging "regional peace and the regional order". | |
| "Based on our history and experience, we believe that peace can only be maintained by strength," she said. | |
| Security at the congress is also expected to be tight after a mass stabbing attack at a railway station in Kunming, south-west China. | |
| Eight attackers stabbed people at the station at random on Saturday, killing 29 and wounding more than 130. | Eight attackers stabbed people at the station at random on Saturday, killing 29 and wounding more than 130. |
| Officials have blamed separatists from Xinjiang - which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority - for the attack. | Officials have blamed separatists from Xinjiang - which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority - for the attack. |