‘Two Sessions’: ‘Changes Unseen in Century’ Happening: Li Qiang
Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses National Peoples' Congress (Image credit X.com)
World Undergoing Accelerated Changes Unseen in Century: Li Qiang
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, March 5: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday said that the world is in the midst of changes unseen in a century. Li told the ‘National People’s Congress (NPC)’ that China is facing an extraordinary risk of “external shocks”.
The Chinese Premier listed out risks for China from the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump. Li did not mention the US in his address to the NPC.
Li stated that the “world is witnessing an accelerated changes unseen in a century”. The Chinese Premier also stated that increasing barriers to “trade and technology” are being created.
Li vowed that further reforms are on the anvil to boost the economy. In his address to NPC, Li vowed to further lower barriers for businesses in China.
The external environment is becoming increasingly complex, Li says, and potentially posing greater impacts on the country’s trade, technology and other sectors.
China: Xi Jinping vows to oppose attempts to ‘rollback globalization’
‘Two Sessions’ consist of the NPC along with the advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee. Li presented the working report to the NPC on Wednesday. He stuck to the five per cent GDP growth target for 2025-26.
Li mentioned that China is ready to deal with “external shocks”. He said China’s firmness to deal with external disruptions without mentioning the US.
The US additional tariff against China along with Canada and Mexico came in force yesterday. China also slapped retaliatory tariffs on the US. China stopped imports of soybeans from the US.
Speaking on global challenges, Li spoke of trade and tech pressures. The Chinese premier specifically mentioned “protectionism” and “unilateralism”. His references were clearly aimed at US President Donald Trump reviving a trade war with China.
But Li exuded confidence that China will withstand the “external shocks”. Yet, the Chinese Premier admitted “an unstable recovery, weak demand, job pressures, and inefficiencies in governance”.
His admission of the Chinese recovery not matching expectations was a prelude to his warning to the bureaucracy. He warned against “bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption”.
Notably, corruption in the missile programme in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army accounted for “disappearances” of at least three Defence Ministers of China in the recent years. Li stated that the Defence Budget will be $245.2 billion, up 7.2 per cent, which is same as last year.
Signalling further efforts to pump-prime the struggling economy, Li told the NPC that 735 billion yuan will be spent as investment in public infrastructure. He exuded confidence in China’s long-term growth.
Li signalled China looking inward amid the US trade threat, as he laid emphasis on Chinese “institutional strengths, a vast market, and strong industries”. China’s economy will stay on course, he added.
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