China plans less growth but more spending on armaments

This year’s People’s Congress in China

The People’s Congress, which meets until February 13, promises a lot of excitement.

(Photo: AP)

Beijing When the approximately 3,000 members of China’s mock parliament meet in Beijing once a year, the capital usually shows itself from its best side: with clear air and a bright blue sky. The vernacular has even created its own name for it: “Lianghui Lan”, the two-session blue, it is called in allusion to the meeting of the People’s Congress and because of the Consultative Conference taking place at the same time, a central advisory body.

But this Sunday, Beijing was bathed in a dull gray. “Very unhealthy” warns the mobile phone app that displays air pollution. Since political events in China are usually charged with a lot of symbolism, this is definitely worth noting. The smog in the capital is an indication that the country’s factories are running at full steam again after the corona chaos. Unlike usual, they apparently did not have to be shut down this year.

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