The new prime minister has warned that it will not be easy for China to meet its growth targets

Li Qiang, who was appointed on Saturday, condemned this Monday “Encirclement” and this “oppressionof his country by America.

Via Le Figaro with AFP

Published 03/13/2023 at 06:33Upgrade 03/13/2023 at 06:49

China’s new prime minister Li QiangHe warned on Monday that his country’s growth target would be difficult to achieve this year.about 5%Already one of the weakest in decades. “Achieving the growth target of around 5% will not be easy, I fear, and will take a lot of effort.” he said during his first press conference after taking office as Prime Minister on Saturday.

This rate of GDP growth would be the envy of many major economies, yet would be the weakest in 40 years for the Asian giant. Li Qiang, in charge of economic affairs, warned.New challengesFor development, it compares the importance of GDP in the daily life of the population.

big things”

China sees GDP growth of 3% in 2022, a far cry from an initial target of 5.5%, at which time health restrictions and a real estate crisis have weighed heavily on the process. For nearly three years, the country has been following a strict health policy.”Zero covid“, which allowed the population to be largely protected from Covid-19, but dealt a severe blow to the economy.

These measures were finally lifted in December. China’s growth has been punished by a crisis in real estate, which, along with construction, represents more than a quarter of its gross domestic product, and consumption is struggling to recover.

“Read more – Re-elected, Xi Jinping opposed the US

Li Qiang also condemned.Encirclement” and this “oppressionto his country by the United States, amid heightened tensions with the world’s leading power. “China and the US can and should cooperate. Collaboration can achieve great thingsLi Qiang said. A week ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping also addressed geopolitical tensions with Washington during a parliamentary session in Beijing.

China and the US are waging a fierce battle to make semiconductors, the electronic components essential to the operation of smartphones, connected cars and military equipment. In the name of national security, Washington has stepped up sanctions against Chinese chipmakers in recent months.

“Great Iron Wall»

The two powers also oppose each other over Taiwan, the treatment of Uighur Muslims, trade and Hong Kong, among other issues. Xi Jinping on Monday reiterated the need to strengthen national security amid tensions with Washington. “Security is the foundation of development, while stability is a prerequisite for prosperityXi Jinping said Friday during his first speech since being reappointed as China’s president.

For this purpose, it is necessary “Fully promote national security and modernization of armed forces [l’armée] A massive steel wall that effectively protects national sovereignty, security and development interests“, Xi Jinping emphasized in his speech at the end of the annual session of the Parliament.

“Read more – China is increasing its military budget

The Chinese President also “external forcesIntervenors in the Taiwan file. Communist power considers the island a province of China, which has not yet succeeded in annexing it to the rest of the region since the end of the Chinese Civil War (1949).

China views with displeasure the rapprochement at work in recent years between Taiwanese officials and the United States, which has provided the island with military support against Beijing for decades.

A new mandate for Xi

Sole candidate Xi Jinping won a new five-year term as China’s president on Friday after a unanimous vote in parliament, the culmination of a rise that has seen him become the country’s most powerful leader in decades.

Aged 69, he had already received a five-year extension in October at the top of the Chinese Communist Party and the party’s military commission.