BEIJING – President Xi Jinping vowed yesterday to protect “every inch” of the nation’s territory, improve the lives of its people and promote the resurgence of Chinese culture and creativity as he kicked off his second term.
Xi sounded a stark warning clearly directed at Taiwan’s pro-independence government and advocates of independence in Hong Kong.
“Every inch of our great motherland absolutely cannot and absolutely will not be separated from China,” Xi declared in his speech before the nearly 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
“All acts and tricks to split the motherland are doomed to failure and will be condemned by the people and punished by history!” he said.
Xi also stressed the absolute leadership of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). “History has already proven and will continue to prove that only socialism can save China,” he said.
“The Communist Party of China is the supreme political leadership of the country and the fundamental guarantee to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” the 64-year-old leader of the party and the state said.
The party’s supreme authority is central to Xi’s vision of a confident, rising China with him at the helm to tackle thorny challenges that include slowing economic growth, risky excessive borrowing, a possible trade war and tensions with Taiwan.
Xi said the mainland would continue to promote “peaceful unification” with Taiwan.
Observers believe that Xi’s remarks have been prompted by US President Donald Trump’s signing of a law on Friday that encourages expanded contacts between officials from Washington and Taipei.
Beijing has officially protested the law, saying it violates US commitments not to restore direct official contacts with Taiwan that were severed when Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Xi also used the speech to espouse his vision of realising the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” – the “greatest dream” of the world’s second-largest economy.
“The Chinese people have been indomitable and persistent, we have the spirit of fighting the bloody battle against our enemies to the bitter end,” he said.
China’s longer-than-usual, 16- day annual NPC session had earlier approved a range of new appointments, including that of key Xi ally Wang Qishan as vice president. New ministers were also appointed and a law passed establishing a powerful new anti-corruption body to oversee the party and civil service.
President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
