4 March 2014
Last updated at 20:07 ET
Premier Li Keqiang is expected to give a work report as the parliament session gets underway
Issues such as targeting corruption and the environment are also on the agenda at the National People's Congress.
While no new laws or legal amendments are expected to be put forward this year, the session will highlight some of the government's 2014 priorities.
The congress also marks one year since Xi Jinping was confirmed as president.
The 10-day meeting of around 3,000 legislators from delegations across China began on Wednesday.
China describes the NPC as the country's "supreme organ of state power". However, in practice, it is generally considered a rubber stamp for the ruling Communist Party.
'Painful adjustments'
China congress reveals growth target and defence boost
Premier Li Keqiang is expected to give a work report as the parliament session gets underway
China
announced a growth target of 7.5% and revealed plans to raise its
defence budget by 12.2%, as it opened its annual parliament session in
Beijing.
While no new laws or legal amendments are expected to be put forward this year, the session will highlight some of the government's 2014 priorities.
The congress also marks one year since Xi Jinping was confirmed as president.
The 10-day meeting of around 3,000 legislators from delegations across China began on Wednesday.
China describes the NPC as the country's "supreme organ of state power". However, in practice, it is generally considered a rubber stamp for the ruling Communist Party.
'Painful adjustments'
Premier Li Keqiang will present a work report highlighting targets for China's economy this year.
According to an advance copy of his speech, he will say that "deep-seated problems are surfacing" and "painful structural adjustments need to be made" in China's development.
According to the speech, the government will also aim to keep inflation at about 3.5%.
The military budget boost comes amid tensions between China and many of its neighbours, including Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories.
In a press conference on Tuesday, NPC spokeswoman Fu Ying said that China's army was defensive, but warned other countries against damaging "regional peace and the regional order".
"Based on our history and experience, we believe that peace can only be maintained by strength," she said.
Security at the congress is also expected to be tight after a mass stabbing attack at a railway station in Kunming, south-west China.
Eight attackers stabbed people at the station at random on Saturday, killing 29 and wounding more than 130.
Officials have blamed separatists from Xinjiang - which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority - for the attack.
According to an advance copy of his speech, he will say that "deep-seated problems are surfacing" and "painful structural adjustments need to be made" in China's development.
According to the speech, the government will also aim to keep inflation at about 3.5%.
The military budget boost comes amid tensions between China and many of its neighbours, including Japan and the Philippines, over disputed territories.
In a press conference on Tuesday, NPC spokeswoman Fu Ying said that China's army was defensive, but warned other countries against damaging "regional peace and the regional order".
"Based on our history and experience, we believe that peace can only be maintained by strength," she said.
Security at the congress is also expected to be tight after a mass stabbing attack at a railway station in Kunming, south-west China.
Eight attackers stabbed people at the station at random on Saturday, killing 29 and wounding more than 130.
Officials have blamed separatists from Xinjiang - which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority - for the attack.
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