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

Xi Jinping opened the party conference where he will be granted unprecedented power with a chilling warning for the rest of the world.

Xi Jinping speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the Communist Party’s congress on Sunday with an ominous warning that China would not be “deterred by intimidation” or “cowed by pressure” from other global powers.

Xi is expected to be handed a precedent-shattering third term at the event, further solidifying his status as the most powerful Chinese ruler since Mao Zedong.

Speaking for almost two hours as the congress commenced, Xi said China’s “international influence, appeal and power to shape the world” had increased “significantly” since delegates last met five years ago.

“At present, momentous changes of a like not seen in a century are accelerating across the world,” he said.

“A new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is well under way, and a significant shift is taking place in the international balance of power, presenting China with strategic opportunities in pursuing development.

“We must foster a firmer sense of purpose, fortitude and self-belief in the whole party and the Chinese people, so that we cannot be swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation or cowed by pressure.”

He warned China would face “high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms” in the coming years and should be “mindful of potential dangers”.

Xi made no mention whatsoever of Russia’s failing invasion of Ukraine.

Delegates applaud Xi as he walks to the podium for his speech. Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Military delegates outside the Great Hall of People. Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

No small degree of the international pressure on China, of course, concerns Taiwan. The island considers itself an independent, self-governed nation. The CCP insists it is part of China and seeks its “reunification” with the mainland.

In his speech, Xi doubled down on the matter and refused to rule out taking Taiwan by force.

“The wheels of history are rolling on towards China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” he said.

“Complete reunification of our country must be realised, and it can, without a doubt. Be realised.

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

He said the Chinese military would “intensify” its training under “combat conditions” to ensure the country’s armed forces “can fight”.

“We will innovate new military strategic guidance and develop strategies and tactics for people’s war, establish a strong system of strategic deterrence, (and) increase the proportion of new forces with combat capabilities.”

The third-most senior politician in the United States, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, provoked China’s ire in August when she made an official visit to Taiwan. She said the trip was meant to reaffirm America’s commitment to “always stand” with the island.

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

“The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people.”

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

An outdoor screen showing Xi’s speech. Picture: AFP

Elsewhere in the speech, Xi bragged about his widespread purge of political officials over the past decade, which he has long framed as an anti-corruption campaign.

“We have used a combination of measures to take out tigers, swat flies and hunt down foxes, punishing corrupt officials of all types,” he said.

“We have resolved to offend a few thousand rather than fail 1.4 billion, and to clear out party of all its ills.”

And he defended China’s hardline “Covid zero” policies, which have resulted in severe, extended, citywide lockdowns deep into 2022, long after most other nations around the world opened up.

Xi said the government had “put people and lives above all else”.

“In launching an all-out people’s war to stop the spread of the virus, we have protected the people’s health and safety to the greatest extent possible,” said Xi.

The President’s speech was not as long as some of his previous efforts, and he paused throughout it multiple times to clear his throat and sip tea. At least one experienced observer felt those moments were more significant than they first appeared.

Steven Jiang, CNN’s Beijing bureau chief, said the pauses raised genuine questions about Xi’s “stamina”, given his reputation for extreme micromangement.

“When it comes to Chinese politics, it’s really not always about the obvious, but about the more subtle points,” Jiang said.

“When you have such an extraordinary concentration of power in one man’s hands, and he is also said to be quite a micromanager in terms of trying to have his personal stamp on every issue, big and small, that means there is a huge queue of policy issues he has to decide on.

“That is increasingly a worry if he doesn’t delegate, if he keeps making all these decisions by himself. What does that mean for the country and for the rest of the world?”

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