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China congress reveals growth target and defence boost | China congress reveals growth target and defence boost |
(about 1 hour 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. |
Premier Li Keqiang told delegates the government would "declare war" against pollution and "crack down hard" on terrorism. | |
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. |
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. | |
'Painful adjustments' | 'Painful adjustments' |
Premier Li Keqiang is presenting a work report highlighting targets for China's economy this year. | Premier Li Keqiang is presenting a work report highlighting targets for China's economy this year. |
He said that the government's "work got off to a good start" but admitted that "there are still many problems that people are unhappy about". | |
"Painful structural adjustments need to be made" in China's development, he said, though economic growth will remain stable. | |
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". | 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. | Implementing reforms to tackle local government debt is also expected to be a priority. |
The latest military budget boost comes amid tensions between China and many of its neighbours, including Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories. | The latest military budget boost comes amid tensions between China and many of its neighbours, including Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories. |
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. | |
China has also accused Japan of failing to adequately address its actions in World War Two. | |
In Wednesday's speech, Mr Li said: "We will safeguard the victory of World War Two and the post-war international order, and will not allow anyone to reverse the course of history." | |
'Red light warning' | |
In his speech, Mr Li pledged to fight corruption "without mercy". | |
President Xi Jinping has launched a high-profile crackdown against corruption since coming to power. | |
In the latest in a series of moves to curb official corruption, delegates to this year's conference have been banned from holding banquets. | |
Mr Li also said the government would act on air pollution. In many urban areas, including Beijing, pollution levels routinely exceed the safety limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). | |
Li Keqiang admitted the toxic smog hanging over many Chinese cities was "nature's red light warning against the model of inefficient and blind development", the BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing reports. | |
Security at the congress will 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. |
On Wednesday morning, two protesters were dragged away from Tiananmen Square, near the venue for the NPC, by policemen. It is not clear what they were protesting about. |