People's Congress convenes

China cancels “peaceful” takeover of Taiwan

Chinese soldiers march in front of the National People's Congress in Beijing.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

While China once sought a "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, it is now using tougher tactics. At the annual National Congress currently in session, it was decided to push ahead with reunification with the island state. At the same time, military spending is being significantly increased ...

China's National People's Congress convened in Beijing on Tuesday for its annual session. Premier Li Qiang opened the meeting with his work report and presented the eagerly awaited target for this year's economic growth. As in the previous year, it was given as "around five percent". The almost 3,000 members of the hand-picked parliament have until March 11 to approve the plans of the government of head of state and party leader Xi Jinping.

China also deletes the term "peaceful" in relation to the desired reunification with Taiwan. Beijing will "resolutely advance the cause of China's reunification", according to Premier Li's first work report. Earlier reports had spoken of "peaceful reunification". At the same time, according to the paper, defense spending is to increase by 7.2 percent by 2024, as in the previous year, and amount to 1.67 trillion yuan (214.03 billion euros). Beijing had already increased its military budget by the same amount in the previous year.

Delegates arrive for the opening session(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

However, the weather left a lot to be desired.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

China maintains the world's largest army
The decision to increase the budget is probably also linked to the tense relationship with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, and disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. To date, experts have not expected war to break out in the strait between China and Taiwan. However, Beijing wants reunification with the island republic - by military means if necessary.

Measured by the estimated two million active soldiers, the People's Republic has the largest army in the world. In recent years, China's defense budget has always risen faster than overall spending. The increase has also usually been higher than the economic growth rate.

At the opening session of China's National People's Congress(Bild: APA/AFP/WANG Zhao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Economy weakens
The growth target is considered ambitious by observers. In the previous year, it was narrowly exceeded at 5.2 percent, but experts have serious doubts about the reliability of Chinese statistics. In 2023, the government benefited from catch-up effects following the coronavirus pandemic, which are no longer being felt this year. The Chinese economy has recently suffered from weak global demand, a struggling real estate market and weak domestic consumption.

Other topics at the annual meeting are likely to include the country's opening up to investment and reforms as well as the "new productive forces", a term that Xi Jinping has often used prominently in public speeches recently, with which China wants to focus on the country's progress through digital technologies and artificial intelligence.