China reset: ‘Absolutely’ opposed to Taiwan independence

China will resolutely oppose and contain Taiwan independence, Premier Li Keqiang said in remarks prepared for delivery at the opening of the annual meeting of its rubber-stamp parliament on Sunday, amid heightened tension between Beijing and the self-ruled island. China is deeply suspicious of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party espouses the island’s formal independence, a red line for Beijing, which has cut off an official dialogue mechanism with Taipei.

China finance ministry releases $151 billion defense budget

From front left, Wang Qishan, Yu Zhengsheng, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Liu Yunshan stand during the start of the opening session of China’s annual National People’s Congress in Beijing’s Great H… . Bus ushers pose for photographs in front of the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing, Sunday, March 5, 2017.

Chinese premier stresses renovation of rundown areas in 2017

Premier Li Keqiang has called for more efforts to expedite the renovation of rundown urban areas and dilapidated houses in 2017, a State Council statement said Monday. This year, China will start renovating 6 million substandard homes, the same as the target set for 2016, according to Li, who stressed that the work should be initiated as soon as possible.