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China’s defense budget this year will increase by 6.8% during 2020.
This morning at 9 am, the fourth meeting of the XIII National People’s Congress of China was held in Beijing. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented a report on the government’s work. Subsequently, the Chinese Ministry of Finance issued a government budget report to the National People’s Congress.
The focus of the international community this time includes: economic growth targets, Hong Kong’s electoral system and defense budgets.
Economic growth target above 6%
China has set its economic growth target for this year at more than 6%.
Li Keqiang said that this goal “considers the recovery of economic operations, leading to guiding all parties to focus on promoting reform and innovation and promoting high-quality development.”
Last year, due to the uncertainty of the epidemic, the government did not set an annual growth target for the first time in decades. China eventually achieved growth of 2.3%, which is much lower than the 6% or the highest growth rate generally seen in recent years, but is by far the best performing among the major economies of the world.
At present, the new corona epidemic has been basically controlled in China. In recent weeks, the number of confirmed cases in the United States, India, and other countries has dropped dramatically.
China’s economic growth target of more than 6% shows that China is ready to take steps to sustain strong growth in the world’s second-largest economy. This is a positive sign for the global economy and means that the Chinese government is willing to release funds to maintain economic growth, rather than slow the economy in response to rising debt.
China’s targets for this year are well below the expectations of many Western economists. They predict that as manufactured exports continue to prosper and the service industry recovers from last year’s weakness, economic growth will reach around 8%.
However, Li Keqiang pointed out that domestic and international situations still pose challenges for China’s economic growth. He said: “The new corona pneumonia epidemic is still spreading around the world, the international situation has increased instability and uncertainty, and the global economic situation is complex and serious.”
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Regarding China’s internal challenges, Li Keqiang said: “There are still weak links in the prevention and control of the epidemic, the basis for economic recovery is not yet solid, household consumption is still restricted, growth investment is insufficient, small, medium and micro enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households have more difficulties, and the pressure on employment stabilizes. Larger “.
In addition to the economic growth goal, the government job bulletin also set other goals:
* More than 11 million new jobs were created in urban areas, compared to more than 9 million last year.
* The unemployment rate from the urban survey is around 5.5%, last year it was 6%
* Consumer prices increased around 3%, compared to around 3.5% last year.
* Reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by approximately 3%
* Cereal production remains above 1.3 billion cats.
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On the morning of March 5, Li Keqiang (right) gave a government work report.
Hong Kong electoral system reform
Regarding the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao, Li Keqiang reiterated in his government work report the principles of “one country, two systems”, “the people of Hong Kong govern Hong Kong” and the “people of Macao govern Macao. “and a high degree of autonomy. The focus will be on implementing the legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security, curb the intervention of external forces, support Hong Kong and Macao in economic development and improve people’s livelihoods.
How to reform Hong Kong’s electoral system is one of the main goals of the international community.
Hong Kong Democrats hoped to win a majority in the Legislative Council elections in September last year and then forced the Chief Executive to resign by blocking approval of the government budget. But the Legislative Council election was postponed and the police arrested 47 defenders of “conspiracy to subvert state power.” Before the two sessions, there was news that Beijing would reform Hong Kong’s electoral system.
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The National People’s Congress of China opened in Beijing on March 5.
Wang Chen, vice president of the National People’s Congress, said that the general idea of this reform is: restructure and increase the empowerment of the electoral committee as the core, adjust and optimize the size, composition and production methods of the electoral committee. and continue to have the election committee. The Chief Executive is elected and the Elections Committee is assigned the new function of electing a greater proportion of members of the Legislative Council and participating directly in the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council. Through the Election Committee, a balanced and orderly political participation in Hong Kong society will be broadened and expanded. It is also necessary to establish a rating review mechanism of the whole process to form a new democratic electoral system that fits the current situation in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Characteristics of Kong.
Wang Chen stressed that the method of election for the Chief Executive and Legislative Council “must be in line with the actual conditions in the SAR to ensure that the patriots rule Hong Kong.”
Defense budget increased by 6.8%
According to the government budget report issued by the Ministry of Finance in the National People’s Congress, this year’s defense spending is 1,355,343 million yuan, an increase of 6.8% over 2020. The budget increase was 0.2 percentage points more than last year.
In the past year, military tensions between China, the United States, India, and other countries have increased dramatically. The borders of the Himalayas, Taiwan and the South China Sea are military hotspots. Beijing has repeatedly used military power to threaten its claimed sovereignty, including multiple fighter jets in Taiwan’s airspace and military exercises.
In recent years, China has invested billions of people in military modernization. The goal is to turn the People’s Liberation Army into a “fully modernized” fighting force by 2027 and a “world-class” military force against the United States by 2050.
Affirm “Great Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics”
In terms of diplomacy, the government’s work report affirmed last year’s “Great Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics”.
Li Keqiang said: “Adhere to multilateralism and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Support international cooperation in fighting the epidemic and advocate building a community of health and human health. China has made contributions. important for promoting world peace and development. ”
The goal of this year’s work is to deepen multilateral, bilateral and regional economic cooperation and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system.
The government work report noted that it is necessary to promote the early implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the signing of the China-EU Investment Agreement, accelerate the negotiation process of the China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and actively consider join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
With regard to trade between China and the United States, the government work report noted that “on the basis of mutual respect, promote the development of economic and trade relations between China and the United States on an equitable and mutually beneficial “.
It is worth noting that last year’s government work report mentioned “the joint implementation of the first phase of the China-US trade and economic agreement,” but did not mention it this year.
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Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and a former Hong Kong chief executive, fell after attending a meeting of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Everyone supported him.
Taiwan’s policy reaffirms “One China” and “92 Consensus”
On the part concerning Taiwan, Li Keqiang reiterated the “One China Principle” and the “1992 Consensus” and emphasized “promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the reunification of the motherland.”
Li Keqiang said: “Very vigilant and resolutely curb the separatist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’. Improve the systems and policies that guarantee the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and enjoy equal treatment on the mainland, promote exchanges and cross-strait cooperation, integrated development, and work together to create a bright future for national rejuvenation. ”
These wording is consistent with the “Fourteenth Five Year Plan” and the “Outline of Vision Goals for 2035” presented by the State Council of China to the National People’s Congress. The project indicates that it is necessary to deepen integrated development across the Strait and continue to implement policies and measures that benefit Taiwan and the people, so that Taiwan compatriots can share development opportunities, participating in economic and social development. of the continent.
