Key words : china delegates spending
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240305_16/
China aims for GDP of about 5 percent, plans to raise defense spending
China's biggest political event of the year has kicked off. Delegates from across the country are gathering in Beijing for the National People's Congress.
At the congress, Chinese premier Li Qiang made an announcement outlining this year's target for economic growth. The target is around five percent, the same as last year.
Li said, "Achieving this year's target will not be easy, so we need to maintain policy focus, work harder, and mobilize the concerted efforts of all concerned."
China's Gross Domestic Product grew 5.2 percent last year, meeting the government's target of around 5 percent.
Despite hitting the target, China still faces several challenges to its economy. Recovery has generally been lackluster, largely due to the effects of the zero-COVID policy.
The IMF predicts that China's economic growth will slow to 4.6 percent this year. Observers say that by setting a target higher than that, the Chinese government may be aiming to emphasize its policy of propping up the economy.
In order to achieve its goal, China will likely focus on ways to deal with the sluggish real estate market and worsening local government finances.
The government also released a report stating its annual defense spending budget will be increased by 7.2 percent from last year. The total budget is about 230 billion dollars.
China has been stepping up its maritime activities in the East and South China Seas. It is believed to have vessels that outnumber those of the US Navy.
A report compiled last year by the US Defense Department estimates that China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and notes the country is building up its nuclear capabilities at a faster pace than expected.
Key words : correspondent suda masaki
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20240305161802845/
Li Qiang's leadership put to the test
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has addressed the National People's Congress in Beijing for the first time since his appointment last year. With economic growth slow, and President Xi Jinping keeping a tight hold on power, Premier Li faces difficulties making his mark.
Key words : japanese government added sanction
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240305_18/
Japan to impose economic sanctions on 8 people in relation to Hamas
The Japanese government says it has added eight individuals to its list of economic sanctions in relation to the Palestinian group Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The individuals who were added to the sanctions list are five senior members of Hamas in charge of collecting funds, and three money changers who facilitate fund transfers for the group. Their assets will be frozen.
The government has strongly condemned the deadly attack and abductions of people in Israel conducted by Hamas and others in October as an act of terrorism.
A total of 22 individuals and five organizations related to Hamas are now facing Japanese sanctions.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said the move intends to cut funding sources for Hamas and to prevent any loopholes that would allow the flow of terrorism financing.
He added that Japan will consider adding more parties to its sanctions list if necessary.
Key words : prime minister washington
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240305_09/
US House Speaker: Japan's Prime Minister Kishida to address Congress on April 11
US House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has been invited to address a joint session of Congress on April 11.
Kishida is due to pay an official visit to Washington next month. A summit with President Joe Biden is planned on April 10. The White House is also expected to host a state dinner.
Johnson released a statement along with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on Monday.
In the statement, he says, "It is our honor to host Prime Minister Kishida for his first joint address" to the US Congress. He points out, "Now, more than ever, we must speak out against tyranny and continue our pursuit of freedom and democracy worldwide."
Johnson also praises the Japan-US security treaty, calling it a "shining example of international cooperation and diplomacy." He describes the bilateral alliance as a "cornerstone of stability and security" for both nations and the world.
The last time a Japanese prime minister addressed a joint session of Congress was in 2015, when the late Abe Shinzo delivered a speech.
Informed sources say that during his official visit, Kishida is considering a trip outside Washington to see Japanese companies doing business in the United States.
Key words : north demanded
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240305_06/
North Korea's defense ministry demands halt to US-S.Korea military drills
North Korea's defense ministry has demanded that the United States and South Korea stop their joint military drills that began on Monday, warning that they will be made to pay a "dear price."
Tuesday's edition of North Korea's ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, carried a statement by a defense ministry spokesperson.
It refers to the Freedom Shield exercise, regular drills by the US and South Korean militaries assuming a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
The exercise is due to continue in South Korea for 11 days, with roughly double the number of field-training drills being planned compared with last year.
In the statement, North Korea's defense ministry "strongly denounces the reckless military drills," and severely warns the US and South Korea to stop engaging in further provocative moves.
The statement says North Korea will conduct military activities to "strongly control the unstable security environment on the Korean Peninsula," adding that the US and South Korea "will be made to pay a dear price for their false choice."
During last year's Freedom Shield exercise, North Korea fired an ICBM-class Hwasong-17 missile. It also launched several short-range ballistic missiles in an apparent show of its confrontational stance.
Key words : france abortion
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240305_07/
France enshrines abortion rights in Constitution
France has decided to enshrine the right to abortion in its Constitution. Local media say it becomes the first country in the world to explicitly make it a constitutional right.
The historic vote took place at a congress of both houses of the French parliament in the Palace of Versailles on Monday. The lawmakers approved the bill by a majority.
President Emmanuel Macron had called on the joint session to finalize the decision after both houses separately adopted the bill.
France legalized abortion in 1975. In an opinion poll in November 2022, 86 percent of its citizens were in favor of making abortion a constitutional right.
Observers say France's decision was a response to increasing moves to restrict abortion in the United States and some European countries.
People celebrating the decision held a rally in central Paris. A 26-year-old woman said people will no longer need to dispute this in France. She added that women cannot be deprived of the right even if conservative or far-right forces become the majority.
A 38-year-old woman said it was a right that their bodies belonged to them, and that this had finally been recognized.
Key words : world weather Jonathan Oh
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