China's Top Political 'Two Sessions' Kicks-Off in Beijing

2,977 delegates take part in the work of NPC. The session will last till 13th March.

Chinese officials will discuss key issues of the political and socio-economic development of the China state, outline the plans for the future, determine the course of further reforms and adopt a budget for 2023.

The session kicked off with the government reports. First of all, the State Council has to inform the delegates on social and economic developments in the country.

The ruling Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping's plans on the country's development will be discussed by the sessions.

One of key points of the meeting is the question of defense since China estimates current geopolitical risks as very high. That's why Bejing is planning a 7.2% increase in military spending.

Increases in China's defense budget have been "appropriate and reasonable" and are aimed at meeting "complex security challenges," a spokesperson for the country's parliament said.

In a nutshell, Beijing defense expenditures will exceed 1.5 trillion yuan (about $224.8 billion). The Communist Party of China (CPC) also plans to strengthen the combat training of the personnel of the People's Liberation Army.

China will continue to decisively oppose the idea of "Taiwan independence" and make efforts to peacefully reunite the island with the mainland. Beijing emphasizes that China will adhere to the defensive nature of the military doctrine and will not pose a threat to anyone.

Another critical issue is diplomacy. Since Deng Xiaoping's Chinese foreign policy formula basically remains unchanged – Beijing should "watch dispassionately, act calmly, hide its talents, bide its time, and seek concrete achievements."

Beijing's spending on diplomacy in 2023 will grow by 12.2 percent. China will "develop the foreign policy of a world power with Chinese specifics", "expand openness to the outside world" and "defend the world order."

Economic cooperation will be of utmost importance for Chinese foreign policy. Beijing will take an active part in international activities aimed at managing the global economy.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping believes that China should take a decisive part in the reform of the World Trade Organization and actively promote the principles of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

China's economy is developing at a reasonable pace, according to one of the reports read at the session. This became possible due to the introduction of innovations amidst growing trade protectionism in western countries.

"Two sessions" is an inclusive event since it is attended by ethnic minority delegates.

Abouve: Journalists atted a press conference on the eve of the opening session of the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.