China to Set Economic Goals for Next 5 Years at Major Annual Meeting

China's economy has been under pressure from high youth unemployment, weak housing prices, sagging domestic consumption, and a trade war with the U.S., which has imposed tariffs on all Chinese goods. Against this backdrop, China's National People's Congress will meet on Thursday in Beijing, where the premier will announce the country's GDP target and other economic goals for the year. Observers also expect details on the 15th five-year plan, focused on building tech strength and self-sufficiency in areas including robotics, renewable energy, and AI. The legislature will also ratify a new law on ethnic minorities focused on assimilation and reducing minority group autonomy. Meanwhile, 19 legislators were dismissed last week, following the high-profile removal of General Zhang Youxia in January.