China signals confidence in the economy despite slow growth and the American trade war

The main Chinese leaders sought to project confidence in the country’s economy on Wednesday despite slow growth, commercial escalation with the United States and increasing geopolitical uncertainty caused by the Trump administration.

The government will aim to extend the economy of China by “around 5%” this year, said Prime Minister Li Qiang, the highest official in China after Xi Jinping, at the opening of the annual session of the country’s rubber complex.

Li recognized that the economy was confronted with many challenges and that “arduous efforts” would be necessary to achieve the objectives. But he struck a positive note on the country’s prospects, saying: “The underlying trend of long-term economic growth has not changed and will not change. The giant ship of the Chinese economy will continue to cleave the waves and navigate regularly to the future. »»

The Beijing meeting, called the National People’s Congress, is a closely scripted political competition which takes place for several days, showing how Mr. Xi plans to lead China through what he has often described as “great invisible changes in a century” in the world.

Mr. Xi’s vision includes the uprising of technological prowess of China and self-sufficiency and to strengthen its military capacities so that it can dominate the Asia-Pacific region. He focuses on strengthening the grip of the Communist Party in power over power by making national security a priority for all facets of Chinese society. Security was tightened during the legislative session, which brings about 3,000 delegates to the Greater People’s Hall, with the police published at several control points near the site.