BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Sunday vowed China would “never commit to abandoning the use of force” when it comes to the issue of Taiwan, in a speech marking the beginning of the Communist Party Congress (CPC) in Beijing.
“Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for Chinese people themselves, and must be resolved by Chinese people alone. We will adhere to striving for the prospect of a peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and greatest efforts, but will never commit to abandoning the use of force, and reserve the option to take all necessary measures,” Xi told Communist Party delegates at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
China sees self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, to be reclaimed one day by military intervention if necessary.
“The historical wheels of national reunification and national rejuvenation are rolling forward,” Xi added. “Reunification of the motherland must be achieved and will be achieved.”
Xi condemned “separatism and interference” on the matter.
He also hailed Hong Kong’s transition from “chaos to governance”, after the imposition of a national security law in 2020 that has quashed dissent in the once outspoken city.
“The situation in Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to governance,” he said.
FULL CONTROL OVER HONG KONG ACHIEVED
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday told the 20th Communist party Congress that the country has gained full control over Hong Kong and turned it from chaos to governance, according to Reuters news agency.
Delivering a report to the twice-a-decade party meeting in Beijing, Xi said China has also waged a major struggle against Taiwan separatism and is determined and able to oppose territorial integrity.
Along with the crackdown on Hong Kong, Xi Jinping also defended the military aggression against Taiwan, saying he “safeguarded” the country’s “dignity and core interests” for ensuring security.
“In the face of turbulent developments in Hong Kong, the central government exercised its overall jurisdiction over the special administrative region as prescribed by China’s Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,” state media outlet Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
He said it was ensured that Hong Kong is governed by “patriots” after the “order” was restored in the region.
On the self-governed island of Taiwan, he said, “In response to separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence and gross provocations of external interference in Taiwan affairs, we have resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference.”
He said that China has demonstrated their resolve and ability to safeguard “China’s sovereignty and to oppose “Taiwan’s independence.”
Faced with “changes in the international landscape”, the Chinese President said the country has “maintained firm strategic resolve and shown a fighting spirit. “Throughout these endeavours, we have safeguarded China’s dignity and core interests and kept ourselves well-positioned for pursuing development and ensuring security.”
During his speech, Xi also defended his flagship COVID policy by saying his government put the people and their lives above all else and tenaciously pursued a zero-COVID policy.
“In responding to the sudden attack of COVID-19, we put the people and their lives above all else and tenaciously pursued a dynamic zero-COVID policy,” Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
Regional experts say that Chairman Xi Jinping will undoubtedly extend his term in power for another five years.
He will either be re-elected as general secretary of the CCP or will be newly elected as chairman of the CCP, a title that has lain dormant since 1982 and was once the highest position ever held by Mao Zedong.
The congress is taking place at one of the most perilous periods in international affairs in recent years. A war is raging in Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin attempts to burnish his credentials as a great Russian leader, and China remains a staunch supporter of this would-be tsar.
At the same time, Taiwan Strait tensions are at their highest in decades, as China attempts to pummel Taipei into acquiescence.
Besides this, diplomatic tensions with the US, the after-effects of a global pandemic and China’s own par and efforts to stamp out COVID-19, and all the ingredients for a brewing storm are present.
XI PRESENTS REPORT TO 20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF CPC
Chinese President, Xi Jinping delivered a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which opened at the Great Hall of the People here Sunday.
The theme of the Congress is holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implementing the “Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, staying confident and building strength, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, Xi said in the report.
He said the past decade marked three major events of great immediate importance and profound historical significance including the centenary of the Communist Party of China, the eradication of absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
XI VOWS TO IMPROVE PEOPLE’S WELL-BEING
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said China had seen a historic rise in its economic strength in the past decade with its GDP growth to 114 trillion yuan (about $16 trillion) from 54 trillion yuan.
In a report delivered to congress on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee, Xi pledged to improve the people’s well-being and quality of life.
President Xi said the past decade marked three major events of great immediate importance and profound historical significance for the cause of the Party and the people.
“We embraced the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), we ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and we eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal.”
The CPC aims to basically realize the socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035 and build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious, he added.
On people’s well-being, he said China will improve the system of the income distribution.
“We will ensure more pay for more work and encourage people to achieve prosperity through hard work,” Xi said.
We will promote equality of opportunity, increase the incomes of low-income earners and expand the size of the middle-income group.
“On national reunification, Xi said that the CPC would implement its overall policy for resolving the Taiwan dispute.
