I got a text message saying that the court was in session.

Legal analysis: the people's court shall send a copy of the defense to the plaintiff within five days from the date of receiving the defense. If the defendant fails to submit the defense, it will not affect the trial of the people's court.

Legal basis: Article 127 of the Civil Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). After the people's court accepts the case, if the parties have objections to the jurisdiction, they shall raise them during the period of submitting the defense. The people's court shall examine the objections raised by the parties. If the objection is established, it shall be ordered to transfer the case to the people's court with jurisdiction; If the objection is not established, the ruling shall be rejected.

If the parties fail to raise any objection to the jurisdiction and respond to the lawsuit, it shall be deemed that the people's court against whom the lawsuit is filed has jurisdiction, except those that violate the provisions on hierarchical jurisdiction and exclusive jurisdiction.