At the opening meeting, Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government report assessing the implementation of economic and social policies during the past 5 years. The session also laid out the targets for this year, including maintaining GDP growth at 6.5%, increasing inflation to 3%, creating 11 million new urban jobs, and keeping the unemployment rate at 5.5%.
It said defence spending in 2018 would be 175 billion USD, an 8.1% increase from last year. On foreign policy, it said China would continue to follow the principles of peaceful development, promoting harmonious co-existence between major countries, strengthening relations with neighbouring countries and actively participating in global issues. The 13th meeting of the NPC will go on until March 20th. It will elect and appoint a number of people to positions in state agencies.
