On the big screen, a spokesman for the National People’s Congress of China (Non-In University) Zhang Ye-Sui is holding a video press conference in Beijing on the 4th before the annual meeting of the NPC. Beijing = Reuters Yonhap News
He stressed that China “has the power and responsibility to change the Hong Kong electoral system.” Regarding the increase in defense spending, he said, “We will increase it steadily in line with the level of economic development.” To the United States, he warned that “it is normal for some opinions to diverge,” and that “conflict does not correspond to the interests of either side.”
On the night of the 4th, the day before the opening of the National People’s Congress of China (Non-in University), Spokesman Zhang Ye-Sui held a press conference and said, “It is necessary to move the election system with the times in accordance with the recent Hong Kong situation.” According to the constitution, the powers and responsibilities of the Chinese NPC.” It is in the same context as when the Hong Kong National Security Law was enacted last year through the NPC.
The reorganization of the Hong Kong election system aims to strengthen the screening of candidates and disqualify them from any obligations such as a pledge of loyalty. The intention is to cut the sprout of the democratic camp ahead of the September legislative election (our National Assembly). Hong Kong Executive Secretary Carrie Lam also responded on the same day, saying, “We welcome the NPC’s decision to review the reorganization of the election system,” saying, “We will actively cooperate with the Supreme Legislature to create a patriotic Hong Kong.”
On the 4th, the opening ceremony of the National People’s Political Consultation (Political Cooperation) plenary is being held at the People’s Congress in Beijing, China. On the 5th, the Supreme Decision-Making Body, the National People’s Congress (NNP), begins. Beijing = Yonhap News
Regarding this year’s defense budget, Zhang said, “China’s defense expenditure is in line with the overall level of economic development.” “To protect sovereignty and development interests, fulfill China’s international responsibilities and duties, We need an increase in defense spending,” he said. “Since 2007, China has been reporting all military expenditures to the United Nations,” he said. “China’s defense expenditures are open and transparent.” As a result, China’s defense spending growth this year is expected to surpass 7% again. China increased its defense spending by 7.5% in 2019, but only 6.6% in 2020. Last year, as all of the major economies showed only negative growth, it was the only one to record a 2% growth rate, so this year’s defense spending is likely to increase accordingly. In recent years, China’s defense budget has been only 1.3% of gross domestic product (GDP), far below the global average (2.6%). Accordingly, Chinese experts have urged an increase in the defense budget, saying, “The defense budget in China is relatively small.”
China was also cautiously bitter about the US Biden government. Spokesman Chang said, “It is impossible for countries with different histories and cultures to achieve complete peaceful coexistence.” At the same time, referring to the currency of President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden on the 11th of last month, “the leaders of the two countries strengthen communication, cooperate, and disagree. “We decided to promote the development of stable Sino-US relations by managing them,” and “we decided to meet the fundamental interests of both countries and the universal expectations of the international community.”
Beijing= Kwangsoo Kim Correspondent [email protected]
News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.
