Politics

A security officer stand guard after the second plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 7, 2023. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Mar 9th 2023

The National People’s Congress, China’s rubber-stamp parliament, opened its annual session. The outgoing prime minister, Li Keqiang, kicked things off by announcing an economic growth target of “around 5%” in 2023, lower than many external forecasts. Xi Jinping blamed Western countries led by America for trying to suppress China. The congress is expected to approve a set of reforms that will give Mr Xi more direct control over government bodies. It will also confirm him for a norm-busting third term as president.

This article appeared in the The world this week section of the print edition under the headline “Politics”