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Xi Jinping declares China ‘will not be deterred’ in speech at party congress

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Communist Party Congress on Sunday with an ominous warning that China will not be “deterred by intimidation” or “threatened by pressure” from other world powers.

Xi is expected to enter an unprecedented third term at the event, further cementing his position as China’s most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

Nearly two hours into the meeting, President Xi Jinping said China’s “international influence, world-shaping appeal and power” had grown “significantly” since the delegations last met five years ago. to” said it was increasing.

“Today, the world is accelerating profound changes that have never been seen in a century.

“The new stage of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is well underway, and the international balance of power is undergoing major changes, creating strategic opportunities for China to pursue development.

“The whole Party and the Chinese people’s sense of purpose, fortitude and self-confidence should be strengthened so that they are not swayed by falsehoods, deceived by intimidation or succumbed to pressure,” he said.

He warned that China could face “strong winds, choppy seas and even dangerous storms” in the next few years and should “be alert to potential hazards”.

Xi made no mention of Russia’s failure to invade Ukraine.

Of course, international pressure on China has to do with Taiwan in no small part. The island prides itself on being an independent and autonomous country. The CCP claims to be part of China and seeks “reunification” with the mainland.

In his speech, President Xi emphasized the issue and refused to rule out the possibility of taking Taiwan by force.

“The wheels of history are rolling toward the reunification of China and the revival of the Chinese nation,” he said.

“The complete reunification of our country must happen, and it is definitely possible. It will happen.

“While we will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and utmost efforts, we never promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. .”

He said the Chinese military would “enhance” training under “combat conditions” to ensure the country’s armed forces were “fightable.”

“We will innovate new military strategic guidance, develop strategies and tactics for people’s warfare, establish strong strategic deterrence systems, and (and) increase the proportion of new armed forces capable of fighting. .”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the third-oldest politician in the United States, angered China August when she made an official visit to Taiwan. She said the visit was intended to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to “always stand up” to the island.

“Our delegation came to Taiwan to make it clear that we will not abandon Taiwan,” she told President Tsai Ing-wen in a televised remark.

“Taiwan’s story will inspire all freedom-loving people.”

At the time, Tsai warned Beijing that Taiwan would “not back down” and would “do whatever it takes to maintain peace and stability.”

Elsewhere in his speech, Xi boasted of the widespread purge of political figures over the past decade.

“We have used a combination of means to eliminate tigers, swat flies, hunt down foxes, and punish corrupt officials of all types,” he said.

“We were determined to offend thousands and cleanse the party of all disease, rather than fail 1.4 billion.”

And he defended China’s hardline “Covid zero” policy. This has led to a severe and prolonged city-wide lockdown until 2022, long after most other countries around the world have opened up.

Xi said the government “put people and lives first”.

“By launching an all-out people’s war to stop the spread of the virus, we have protected the health and safety of the people as much as possible,” President Xi Jinping said.

The president’s speech was not as long as his previous speeches, with frequent pauses to clear his throat and sip his tea. At least one experienced observer of him felt those moments were more important than they first appeared.

CNN Beijing bureau chief Steven Jiang said of the suspension: Asked sincere questions about Xi’s ‘stamina’given his reputation for extreme micromanagement.

“When it comes to Chinese politics, it’s always about more subtle points than the obvious,” Jiang said.

“With so much power concentrated in the hands of one man, he is said to be quite the micromanager in that he tries to make his mark on all matters, big and small. If so, that means there’s a huge queue of policy issues he has to decide.

“If he doesn’t delegate, if he continues to make all these decisions himself, that’s all the more worrying. What does that mean for this country and the world?”

first published as Xi Jinping declares China ‘will not be deterred’ in speech at party congress

Xi Jinping declares China ‘will not be deterred’ in speech at party congress

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