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Editorial | As US rivalry hots up, Beijing sets steady growth target and looks to wider world

China’s premier charts stable course through Trump global chaos on measured path to economic overhaul by managing internal and external risks

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The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) opens its third session in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Buffeted by pressures at home and chaos abroad, China is charting a deliberate and measured course to help it navigate the turbulent seas in the year ahead.

Premier Li Qiang, in his annual address to the National People’s Congress, set out targets for the year – still aiming for growth of around 5 per cent to help drive the economy, boost flagging consumption, and propel an overhaul leading to economic transformation amid intensifying geopolitical uncertainty.

It is a critical juncture as one five-year plan ends and another begins.

Li’s speech took place as US President Donald Trump addressed Congress just over a month into his new term.

The strategic directions outlined in their addresses were a study in contrasts. Trump declared a global tariff war on friend and foe alike, after already imposing 25 per cent on neighbours Canada and Mexico, and 20 per cent on China.

While turbulence has seemed to spiral from the White House, the watchwords in Beijing concern stability, and taking a measured and deliberate path to quality growth.

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