Two major speeches were delivered by two of the world’s most powerful world leaders this week, on opposite sides of the planet.

The Chinese government wants the economy to create more than 12 million new urban jobs in 2025 while facing “more pronounced structural employment problems”, Premier Li Qiang said in his annual work report to China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress, on Wednesday.

Li sets out goals for economic growth, jobs, the private sector, tech and Hong Kong at opening ceremony of China’s top legislature.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's renewed emphasis on consumption isn't being matched by policy firepower, say economists, who warn that the trade war with Washington and other challenges at home will likely keep policymakers in a prolonged battle with deflation.

Li Qiang said China would strive to work with regular Taiwanese to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reads during a speech by Premier Li Qiang at the opening session of the National Peoples Congress, or NPC, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Charlie Campbell is a correspondent at TIME, based in the Singapore bureau.

As Chinese leaders meet in Beijing, they are striking a confident posture despite serious challenges to the economy and growing pressure from the United States.

The undercurrent of China's annual parliamentary meetings this week is U.S. trade tensions — and how Chinese technology is offsetting that pressure.