Chinese Communist Party Congress opens to endorse Xi’s rule

President Xi took the stage to thunderous applause from about 2,300 hand-picked attendees gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping hailed the Communist Party’s continued efforts to eradicate Covid, which has severely affected people’s lives and hit the country’s economy, as a major achievement.

Xi also stressed the success of his crackdown on corruption, which critics say was used to quell dissent and opposition to his rule, with thousands of people imprisoned.

“The fight against corruption has been overwhelmingly won and strengthened comprehensively,” he said.

While he praised Hong Kong’s transition “from chaos to rule”, his vow to “never renounce the use of force” on the autonomous island of Taiwan drew enthusiastic applause.

Xi also reiterated that China opposes a “Cold War mentality” in international diplomacy, but did not mention its frictional relationship with the United States.

Xi did not mention the Ukraine war.

If Xi’s plan goes smoothly, the 69-year-old will be confirmed as party general secretary after a week-long meeting, cementing him as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Xi and other party leaders are likely to be announced on Oct. 23, the day after parliament closes.

Hundreds of police were deployed around Beijing early Sunday morning as authorities prepared for Congress.

Attendees entered the hall through a series of security checks, and a giant hammer-and-scythe emblem hung on the stage where the top leaders were to be seated.

Addressing Congress, Chinese internet censors removed virtually all references to reports of the rare protests in Beijing, including banners denouncing President Xi Jinping and the country’s coronavirus policies.

ka-mjw/je/kma

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first published as Chinese Communist Party Congress opens to endorse Xi’s rule