The Tory conference was a pseudo-sacred affair, with devotees paying homage in front of Thatcher’s old shrouds — and your reporter, initially barred, only need mention he’d once met her to gain access. But would she consider what was on offer a worthy legacy, asks ANDREW MURRAY

THE recently concluded “Two Sessions” in Beijing have drawn global attention. Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economic recovery and mounting risks and challenges, the international community eagerly sought insights, opportunities, and inspiration from this year’s sessions on how China will advance high-quality development to help alleviate global economic woes.
The Chinese government’s work report, which set an economic growth target of around 5 per cent for the year, has garnered significant global attention. In a world grappling with economic stagnation, how will China contribute to global development?
In delivering the report, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasised the paramount importance of high-quality development and reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to opening up. This message sends a strong and positive signal to a world struggling with economic uncertainty and sluggish recovery.

JENNY CLEGG reports from a Chinese peace conference bringing together defence ministers, US think tanks and global South leaders, where speakers warned that the erosion of multilateralism risks regional hotspots exploding into wider war

