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The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, held a press conference ahead of its annual session in Beijing.
Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui was the spokesperson for the first session of the 13th NPC, and briefed the media and answered questions about the agenda and the work of the annual session.
Around 3,000 NPC deputies across the nation are scheduled to attend the annual session which will open on Monday morning.
The session will conclude on the morning of March 20.
Constitutional amendment high on agenda
According to Zhang, the first session of the 13th NPC will have 10 items on its agenda including reviewing a government work report, deliberating the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, along with changes to China's Constitution being high on the list.
"The Constitution, which reflects the common will of the Communist Party of China and Chinese people, is China's fundamental law and the general chapter for governing the country well and ensuring national security," Zhang said.
Zhang also noted the amendment will be made in accordance with the Party's leadership and the developing path for Chinese people.
The amendment should only include changes to part of the Constitution, not drastic revisions, Zhang said.
China sticks to peaceful development path despite defense budget increase
When asked about China's defense budget in recent years, Zhang confirmed that China has modestly increased the budget number in step with its national economy, but China's commitment to peaceful development path remains unchanged.
"The increased input in defense budget was used to upgrade equipment, improve welfare of servicemen and servicewomen, as well as facilitate training conditions," Zhang said.
But China's defense budget takes up a smaller share of its gross domestic product (GDP) and national fiscal expenditure compared with world's major countries, Zhang pointed out. "China's development will pose no threat to any other country."
Belt and Road Initiative not a 'strategic tool,' welcomes constructive opinions
During the press conference, Zhang rebutted a comment that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a "strategic tool," saying that the BRI has been successful so far.
"The Belt and Road Initiative is guided by the principle of pursuing shared benefits…and it's still in its infancy stage. We face challenges and we welcome positive and constructive opinions," said Zhang.
No desire for a trade war with the US
Zhang said at the press conference that China does not want a trade war with the US, after the US recently listed China as a strategic competitor.
He said trade relations between China and the US are mutually beneficial by nature, but China is not going to sit still and do nothing if the US harms the relationship.
"The appropriate way to solve the trade dispute is through dialogue, to further open the market and make the pie of cooperation bigger, to work through dialogue and consultation," Zhang said.
Zhang also said China is ready to work on several issues with the US based on the agreements made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump during his visit to China in 2017.
The US has recently prompted global outrage with a plan to place tariffs on steel and aluminum.
(CGTN)
