BEIJING (AFP) – President Xi Jinping hailed China’s rise as a global power and demanded unity around his leadership yesterday, launching a Communist Party Congress that is set to rubber stamp his bid to rule for a historic third term.
In an opening address to 2,300 delegates gathered at the Great Hall of the People, Xi promoted and defended a range of signature policies – including zero-Covid and his anti-corruption drive.
“Unity is strength, and victory requires unity,” Xi said after walking onstage to a thunderous reception from the attendees who will vote during the week-long Congress on the party leadership for the next five years.
The president – whose 10-year rule has seen the country become a global superpower – said “China’s international influence, appeal and power to shape the world has significantly increased”.
During his 100-minute “work report” on the past five years, Xi also focussed on two of China’s most sensitive security and sovereignty issues in relation to Hong Kong, after democracy protests were crushed there, and on the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
He lauded Hong Kong’s transition from “chaos to governance”, while his vow to “never commit to abandoning the use of force” on the self-ruled island of Taiwan drew rapturous applause.
Xi celebrated the party’s continued efforts to eradicate Covid-19 as a major achievement.
He insisted the approach “protected people’s safety and health to the highest degree”.
He also highlighted as a success his graft crackdown, which has seen thousands of people jailed.
Xi said the anti-corruption campaign eliminated “serious latent dangers” within the Communist Party, the military and the state.
“The fight against corruption won an overwhelming victory and has been comprehensively consolidated,” he said.
Xi also told the delegates that China would “actively participate in global governance on climate change”.
Xi also reiterated that China opposed a “Cold War mentality” in international diplomacy.
There were no policy announcements in the address, which was largely a review of the current state of play. “This is a very turbulent time with the Covid-19 crisis, economic downturn and international situation, especially with the United States,” said a Xi biographer and professor based in Canada Alfred L Chan. “Caution, rather than dramatic change, is more prudent.”
Should everything go to plan for Xi, the 69-year-old will be endorsed as the party’s general secretary after the week-long meeting ends, cementing his position as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.
Xi and the party’s other top brass are likely to be unveiled on October 23, the day after the Congress closes.
