Beijing has started the annual session of the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and others are participating in the conference which started at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. China’s expected gross domestic product growth this year will be 5 percent, Premier Li Keqiang said in an activity report. Last year there was a growth of three percent in GDP. This year’s target was expected to be raised to 5.5 percent, but was set at five. The growth rate has been set at 5 percent considering unexpected factors in the context of predictions that the global economy will plunge into recession. In the first two months of 2023, China’s economy performed better than expected in sectors ranging from tourism and entertainment to manufacturing. China aims to maintain this and overcome the recession. The Prime Minister also said that more money is being allocated for defense as external attempts to suppress the country continue. A total of $224.79 billion (roughly Rs. 18 lakh crore) has been earmarked for defense in the budget. The increase in the budget is 7.2 percent. The increase in the defense budget was 6.6 percent in 2020, 6.8 percent in 2021 and 7.1 percent in 2022. 3000 delegates are participating in the conference. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political policy-making advisory body, began on Saturday. 2000 delegates are participating in this conference. Read on deshabhimani.com