China: The National People’s Congress (NPC), which has 3000 members, started its annual session in Beijing on Sunday. Delegates there examined government reports. The meeting, which will go through March 13th, is anticipated to cover a wide range of both domestic and international topics.
Departing Premier Li Keqiang called for Taiwan’s “peaceful reunification” at the opening of China’s country’s 14th legislature and warned to take stern action against the island nation’s independence.
“We should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of China’s peaceful reunification,” the premier said.
China officially claims a military expenditure of about $225 billion
At the meeting, it was revealed that the nation will also increase military spending by more than 7% this year. While China officially claims a military expenditure of about $225 billion, many think the true amount is much higher.
Li called on Beijing to follow party policy for “resolving the Taiwan matter” and “take resolute efforts to oppose Taiwan’s independence and support reunification” at the beginning of the annual conference, upholding the one-China principle.
The Taiwanese government strongly contests Beijing’s assertion
For the last three years, China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has intensified its military activities close to the island. In reaction to Nancy Pelosi, the then-Speaker of the US House, visiting Taipei in August, China held military drills near Taiwan.
Because it views the president of Taiwan as a separatist, Beijing has consistently rebuffed her offers of talks. The Taiwanese government strongly contests Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty, arguing that only the 23 million people who live on the island have the power to determine its future.
It is currently anticipated that Li Qiang, who came in second to Xi, will be confirmed as premier. Li will make his first public appearance on the final day of the session during a televised media conference where he will react to questions that were submitted earlier.