China's National Legislature Opens Annual Session, Outlines 15th Five-Year Plan and Boosts Defense Budget

China's national legislature has opened its annual session, outlining the 15th Five-Year Plan draft, with experts highlighting long-term planning for stability. The defense budget is pegged at 1.91 trillion yuan, a 7% increase, as NPC deputies deliberate key draft bills and President Xi Jinping emphasizes the role of economic powerhouses and grassroots connections.