In his New Year's speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for deeper reforms and the promotion of education, science and technology. The People's Republic “will consolidate and intensify the positive trend of economic recovery and achieve stable and long-term economic development,” Xi said today.
Xi on Taiwan: “Inevitable reunification”
Regarding Taiwan, he said in the original Chinese version: “The reunification of the motherland is historically inevitable.” The official English translation published by Xinhua News Agency said: “China will certainly be reunified.”
There were no military threats against the island in Xi's speech. Taiwan, which is democratically governed and allied with the US, is considered part of China under international law. Beijing has not ruled out using force to achieve reunification. Presidential elections will take place in Taiwan on January 13th.
“More resilient and dynamic”
Xi sees his country's economy strengthening despite a series of crises around the world. China has weathered the storm and become “more resilient and dynamic,” he said in his New Year address.
Xi has had a challenging year at the helm of the world's second-largest economy. His government struggled to get the economy to recover after the previous strict zero-Covid policy with strict lockdowns. High youth unemployment and the crisis in the real estate sector are putting pressure on the country.
According to official data, industrial production in China fell for the third consecutive month in December. According to experts, it may be difficult for China to achieve its self-imposed target of 5% annual growth.
Relations with Moscow “have become stronger”
China's head of state once again praised good relations with Russia and its president Vladimir Putin. As broadcaster CCTV reported, he said relations with Moscow “have become stronger.”