In a struggling economy, China’s military still comes out as the big winner

Following a bout of lockdowns; protests and economic loss China opened its session on Sunday against a mission to improve the economy (or lack thereof.) In a speech from the Great Hall of People, Chinese officials all but announced that even in the midst of a struggling economy — The People’s Liberation Army is getting its 29th straight military-budget increase.

During the speech, Premier Li Keqiang, the top economic official, set this year’s growth target “around 5%,”