China premier warns 2023 growth target ‘no easy task’
China’s premier, Li Qiang, warned that achieving the country’s 5% growth target for 2023 would be challenging, as the government wrapped up a week of meetings. Last year, China posted 3% growth, missing its target of around 5.5%. Li cited new challenges to growth, but said people cared more about specific issues such as housing, employment, income, education and health. He also called for cooperation with the US, and warned that “encirclement and suppression” were not beneficial to anyone. President Xi emphasised the need to strengthen national security, consolidate stability in Hong Kong, and unify Taiwan.
