CHINA is set to unveil its next five-year plan this week as the country’s National People’s Congress (NPC) gets underway tomorrow.

The meeting in Beijing of some 3,000 delegates will hear Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang deliver the government report of work.

Mr Li will outline the progress of China’s economy over the past 12 months and future growth targets.

China is expected to announce a gross domestic product growth target of 4.5 to 5 per cent for the coming year.

The country’s 15th five-year plan is expected to be focused on building tech prowess and self-sufficiency.

The Chinese economy also faces a trade war with the United States which has leveraged tariffs on all Chinese goods.

Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for this year’s NPC, told a press conference today that the government would maintain its efforts to improve living standards and boost consumption.

Those would include raising incomes and improving the education, childcare, elderly care and healthcare systems so “consumers will feel freer to spend.”

During the press conference Mr Lou referred to the external challenges faced by China, including outside interference in its domestic affairs.

Mr Lou said: “Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests are both the starting point and ultimate goal of China’s foreign engagement.”

His remarks came in response to a question on how China plans to improve relations with neighbouring countries amid both growing regional co-operation and difficulties in China–Japan ties.

Mr Lou said “China firmly opposes erroneous remarks related to Taiwan made by the Japanese leader,” reiterating China’s position that Taiwan, a breakaway province, is an internal matter for Beijing.

Mr Lou explained that China remains committed to promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

He said: “China has worked with neighbouring countries to strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen comprehensive co-operation and expand exchanges across various fields, injecting strong momentum into regional stability and development.”

Mr Lou said that the NPC “will continue to co-operate with the legislative bodies of neighbouring countries at bilateral and multilateral levels, contributing to Chinese modernisation while promoting mutually reinforcing development with its neighbours.”