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The Latest: China promises all companies treated as equals

China's top economic official is promising all companies are to be 'treated as equals' in a bid to defuse U.S. and European trade complaints

  • A Chinese military conductor gestures as he instructs his music band members during a rehearsal for the opening session of the China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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    A Chinese military conductor gestures as he instructs his music band members during a rehearsal for the opening session of the China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
  • A Chinese military band conductor rehearses before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
    2/5

    A Chinese military band conductor rehearses before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
  • Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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    Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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  • Chinese police gather outside the Great Hall of the People, ahead of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
    4/5

    Chinese police gather outside the Great Hall of the People, ahead of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
  • Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
    5/5

    Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A Chinese military conductor gestures as he instructs his music band members during a rehearsal for the opening session of the China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A Chinese military band conductor rehearses before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Chinese police gather outside the Great Hall of the People, ahead of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Tourists take photos of the daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) -- The Latest on the annual meeting of China's Congress (all times local):

9:30 a.m.

China's top economic official is promising all companies are to be 'treated as equals' in a bid to defuse U.S. and European trade complaints.

Premier Li Keqiang made the pledge in a speech Tuesday at the opening of China's national legislative session.

Li also said this year's growth target was set at 6 to 6.5 percent. That is off slightly from last year's 6.6 percent growth, a three-decade low, but would be among the world's strongest if achieved.

The announcement reflects official determination to shore up slowing economic activity in the face of U.S. tariff hikes and cooling global demand.

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9 a.m.

China's government has trimmed this year's economic growth target to a relatively robust 6 to 6.5 percent amid a tariff battle with Washington and a slowdown in global growth.

The growth target announced Tuesday at the opening of the ceremonial national legislature is down slightly from 2018's three-decade low growth of 6.6 percent. But it would be among the world's strongest expansions if achieved.

The announcement comes amid a tariff battle with Washington and slowing global demand for Chinese exports.

The finance ministry also said the country's defense budget this year will rise 7.5 percent.

Chinese authorities are expected to use the congress to highlight measures intended to support economic growth. Legislators also are due to endorse a change in rules on technology in response to U.S. and European pressure.