'China is strong': lawmakers bullish despite 'turbulent' world

'China is strong': lawmakers bullish despite 'turbulent' world
By Peter CATTERALL
Beijing (AFP) Mar 5, 2025

Chinese lawmakers told AFP Wednesday they were confident in the country's prospects despite a host of gnarly challenges, after a morning of meticulously choreographed fanfare at an annual political gathering in Beijing.

Following the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing's opulent Great Hall of the People, representatives emerged into Tiananmen Square, brightly lit by the mid-morning sun.

"The international situation is very turbulent now, especially the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian war," Liu Hui, an NPC delegate from the central province of Jiangxi, told journalists.

"But China is very stable internally, and we also have strong confidence, such as in improving our economy," he hastened to add.

Wednesday's proceedings -- part of the country's biggest annual political gathering known as the "Two Sessions" -- saw the government disclose highly anticipated spending plans for the year ahead.

An official "work report" presented in a speech to delegates by Premier Li Qiang showed that Beijing is eyeing national growth this year of "around five percent" -- the same as 2024.

The world's second-largest economy has charted an uneven course since the pandemic, bogged down by lacklustre domestic consumption and a prolonged debt crisis in the vast property sector.

Many economists view the newest goal as ambitious.

And just a few weeks in, US President Donald Trump's second term threatens to significantly exacerbate trade headwinds facing the export powerhouse this year.

But Liu said after the session that he "warmly welcomed" Trump's second term.

"No matter who is (US) president, as long as they are beneficial to global development and help global stability, unity and economic development, I will welcome them with open arms," he said.

Earlier, nearly 3,000 representatives rose to their feet and fervently applauded as President Xi Jinping and other top leaders entered the cavernous auditorium.

- 'Bright road ahead' -

Attendees then sang along as a military band played China's national anthem ahead of Li's speech.

Yin Jianmin, an NPC representative from the poor, arid northwestern province of Gansu, told AFP outside the hall that Li's words showed her that "China is strong and will develop better and better".

"At the same time, the report pointed out a very bright road for our Chinese private entrepreneurs," she added.

Yin, 64, currently serves as head of a natural gas company and was in Beijing to attend her third annual "Two Sessions".

"I also hope that entrepreneurs from all over the country will come to Gansu to invest and develop," she said.