News
China sets 2021 growth target at above 6 %, shows post-COVID confidence
By Wang Cong
China announced on Friday a growth target of over 6 percent for its economy for 2021, picking up the decades-long tradition of releasing a numeric goal after skipping it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing top policymakers’ solid confidence on the world’s second-largest economy to sustain a robust recovery despite internal and external risks.
The growth target of over 6 percent is well below a widely accepted forecast of over 8 percent for the year. It would mean that the Chinese economy would once again lead the world in recovering from the impact of COVID-19, outpacing growth in many other major economies.
“In setting this target, we have taken into account the recovery of economic activity. A target of over 6 percent will enable all of us to devote full energy to promoting reform, innovation, and high-quality development,” Premier Li Keqiang said in the Government Work Report that was delivered to the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, on Friday morning.
The NPC session, which is held simultaneously with the annual meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, known as the two sessions, is a window into China’s policy priorities for the year. An official GDP growth target is among the most closely watched announcements.
At the two sessions last year, which were delayed for 78 days due to the COVID-19 outbreak, China skipped a specific numeric growth target for the first time in decades, as the country faced daunting uncertainty both at home and abroad.
The world’s second-largest economy recovered from a historic slump of 6.8 percent in the first quarter, to record a 2.3 percent growth for 2020, becoming the only major economy to grow. Another sign of China’s recovery from the pandemic is that this year’s two sessions convened at its conventional time frame.
“We achieved major strategic success in our response to COVID-19 and China was the world’s only major economy to achieve growth,” Li said, adding that the country also attained a complete victory in the fight against poverty. China has lifted nearly 100 million people out of extreme poverty.
“The growth target of above 6 percent is very reachable given the robust economic recovery… and would offer meaningful guidance for macroeconomic policies,” Cao Heping, a professor of economics at Peking University in Beijing told the Global Times, adding that the Chinese economy could grow between 8 and10 percent in 2021.
Ahead of the Government Work Report, market expectations had predicted that a specific target might be skipped this year due to the current expectations of a high growth rate and other policy priorities, but Cao said that setting a GDP growth is a very effective way to coordinate policies and various priorities.
“There were discussions about whether or not a target should be set. But setting one is better, because it would ensure precision on the macroeconomic policy,” he said, adding that given the economic outlook, other priorities, including a push for high-quality growth and lowering risk, would not be undermined.
Despite many risks in areas such as financial, housing and government debt, “development remains the top priority. And setting a target would not only guide policies but would also provide the easiest way to keep track on progress,” Guan Tao, chief global economist at the Bank of China and a former senior official at the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, told the Global Times.
In the Government Work Report, Li also stressed the need to tackle various risks and challenges, vowing that China would maintain continuity, consistency and sustainability of macro policies and keep “prudent monetary policy flexible and targeted.”
Also indicating macro policies returning to certain level of normalcy, China has cut deficit-to-GDP ratio target to around 3.2 percent for 2021 from around estimated 3.7 percent last year. Also, the country will no longer issue COVID-19 bonds.
The Government Work Report also set a slew of economic and social development goals for 2021, including creating 11 million new urban jobs, keeping CPI growth of around 3 percent and cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 3 percent.
“In 2021, China will continue to face many development risks and challenges, but the economic fundamentals that will sustain long-term growth remain unchanged. We should stay confident, meet challenges head-on, and consolidate the foundation for economic recovery to ensure sustained and healthy economic and social development,” Li said.
Source: Global Times
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader