One year ago, much of China was shut down to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Now, the country has the pandemic largely under control – and is taking steps to get its economy back on track. Around 3,000 delegates are attending the biggest event on China’s political calendar: the National People’s Congress. Over the course of the next week, they’ll be rubber-stamping legislation prepared by the communist party elite, setting China’s political priorities for the next five years. China lays out its plans for this year as it emerges from the pandemic. At the top of the agenda: the economy and Hong Kong. China was the ONLY major economy to see growth last year. The nation is bouncing back thanks to its strong response to Covid-19 – but Beijing warns there is much work to be done. China’s economic growth target may be modest – yet their plans for Hong Kong are anything but. Beijing wants to overhaul the territory’s electoral system, citing loopholes and defects in the current system. China also announced it will boost its defense spending by nearly 7 percent in the coming year. The rubber stamp parliament is also expected to discuss environmental issues and social development over the next week.
China hikes defense spending and GDP goals at National People’s Congress
