State media maintained synchronized coverage of the National People's Congress opening throughout the day, with multiple outlets reporting identical content on Xi Jinping's attendance and the 2026 economic growth target of 4.5-5%. By early morning, coverage expanded to include the defense budget increase of 7% and Xi's participation in provincial delegation deliberations, particularly his call for major economies to solve new problems. External Chinese-language outlets focused on the lowered GDP target's implications, upgraded Taiwan rhetoric in government reports, and Hong Kong cases involving national security and judicial matters.