The Chinese People’s Congress held its final session in Beijing on Monday. At the end of the nine-day plenary session, the almost 3,000 delegates in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing wanted to approve the government’s work reports and decisions as well as the budget with a sharp increase in defense spending by 7.2 percent.
After ending the zero-Covid policy with lockdowns, forced quarantine and mass testing in December, the government expects the second largest economy to recover this year. As expected, the delegates are also likely to approve the government’s target for economic growth of “around five percent”.
At the annual meeting, Chinese leader Xi Jinping cemented his power by securing an unprecedented third term and adding more followers to the government. At the end he wanted to give a speech.
The government reshuffle was the largest in a decade. The new head of government became Xi’s confidante Li Qiang, who wanted to hold his first press conference after the end of the conference. The event is carefully orchestrated to avoid surprises. Questions usually need to be submitted and approved in advance. Nevertheless, initial insights into his style are hoped for.