<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">China will increase military spending by more than 7% this year, while warning of "escalating" threats.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was announced at the National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beijing's military budget - around $225bn (£186bn) - is still dwarfed by that of the United States, which is four times greater.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But analysts believe China downplays how much it spends on defence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang told the NPC that "external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board," he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was also announced at the meeting that China would pursue a reduced economic growth target of about 5% this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But this year's sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week's NPC meeting will also formalise Mr Xi's leadership of the country, as he will be elected president of China and head of the armed forces.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He secured his position in the echelons of Chinese power in October last year, when the Communist Party re-elected him as their leader for a third term.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The increase in military spending comes as Mr Xi is navigating worsening ties with the US over the Ukraine war and the recent spy balloon saga, even as he warms his embrace of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">US officials have also repeatedly warned that China may invade Taiwan in the coming years. China has held ever-growing displays of military force in the air and seas around Taiwan, including the firing of ballistic missiles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The NPC will also unveil the new premier, China's equivalent of a prime minister who traditionally oversees the economy and administrative aspects of governance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Li Qiang, one of Mr Xi's most trusted colleagues, is expected to assume the role. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>