Xi’s speech
– After China’s national anthem (“The March of the Volunteers”), Xi reached the podium of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square and was greeted by long applause for his speech. “We are here for the party’s new course towards building a modern socialist country,” said the President in the opening remarks.
“Taiwan? China cannot rule out the use of force” –
Xi then focused on the Taiwan issue, specifying that China wants peaceful reunification but cannot rule out the use of force against “external forces and the few separatists” demanding the island’s independence. “We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and best efforts, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the right to take any measures necessary,” Xi said, explaining that this would be the case is “directed exclusively against the interference of external forces and the few separatists who “seek Taiwan’s independence and their separatist activities, and not against our Taiwanese compatriots”.
“Hong Kong has moved from chaos to patriotic stability” –
The Chinese president then focused on Hong Kong, stating that “it has moved from chaos to stability and put the city’s administration in the hands of patriots”. “We have strengthened and implemented the ‘one country, two systems’ model,” Xi added, referring to the scheme governing relations between the two former colonies of Hong Kong and Macao and Beijing. “We have helped Hong Kong enter a new phase,” he added.
“GDP doubled in 10 years, now high-tech development” –
China’s GDP rose to 114 trillion yuan (about $16 trillion) from 54 trillion yuan, accounting for 18.5% of the world economy (+7.2%). Xi Jinping said China must strive for high-quality development, between high-tech and technological innovation mechanisms. We must be aware of the potential dangers and be prepared for worst-case scenarios. We must use our indomitable fighting spirit to our cause,” considering that the CCP “has led China from rise and prosperity to strength.”
“Fighting Corruption Has Eliminated Dangers in the CCP” –
The fight against corruption has eliminated “serious latent dangers” within the Communist Party and army and “won a landslide victory that has been largely consolidated,” Xi continued, adding that his campaign against “tigers and flies” and “foxes It was possible to eliminate “the serious dangers that lie dormant in the party, state and army”.
Call to Unity –
The Chinese President then concluded the opening speech at the XX. Communist Party Congress with a call for unity. “We keep firm faith, we remain united as one person and move forward resolutely,” Xi said, reaffirming the concept of unity, which is fundamental to “build a socialist and modern country in all aspects and push forward national progress.” rejuvenation on all fronts”. Xi Jinping’s intervention lasted just over an hour and 40 minutes, much shorter than the one that took place over three hours five years ago.
Taipei: “No compromises on sovereignty and democracy” –
Taiwan’s response was not long in coming. Taipei has asserted that while a military confrontation cannot be a viable option, no compromise hypothesis on sovereignty and democracy will be possible. Presidential Office spokesman Chang Tun-han said that according to the people of Taiwan, “territorial sovereignty, democracy and freedom must not be jeopardized.” A response to Xi’s harsh warnings that Beijing will “never promise to abandon the use of force for reunification.”