Security, zero-covid policy and “reunification” with Taiwan, the themes of the CCP Congress

The general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, PCCh, and leader of the Asian giant, Xi Jinping, inaugurated the 20th Training Congress, strengthening his position as the most influential figure in China for decades.

Congress was closely followed by businesses, governments and the public looking for official direction signals from the Asian nation undergoing a painful economic recession, a new escalation of tension with Washington and its Asian neighbors over trade, technology and security.

“The next five years will be crucial,” Xi said in a one-hour and 45-minute televised speech in the Great Hall of the People, reiterating his slogan of “rejuvenating the Chinese nation,” including reviving the party’s role as a party. economic and social leader, and which refers to what Xi considers a “golden age” after his takeover in 1949 by the Communists.

The party is committed to creating a prosperous society by mid-century and restoring China to its historic role as a political, economic and cultural leader. Beijing seeks its presence overseas with the launch of the multibillion dollar New Silk Road, an initiative to build ports and other infrastructure in Asia, Africa and Latin America in order to create major trade routes and expand Beijing’s influence.

Zero Covid will continue, despite the economic cost

During the speech, Xi cited as a result the tough and controversial “zero covid” strategy of his government, which more than two years after the start of the pandemic continues to force the closure of large cities to curb the spread of the virus.

“In response to the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we insist on putting people and their lives above all else and we tenaciously pursue a dynamic zero-COVID policy,” said Xi.

“We have launched an all-out people’s war to fight the pandemic and protect the health and safety of people to the maximum extent possible,” he added.

There will be no changes, he said, despite the economic cost that this entails. Earlier this week, banners criticizing Xi and the “zero covid” policy were posted on a pedestrian bridge on one of Beijing’s main streets, a rare occurrence.

But the photos were quickly removed from social media, and the popular WeChat messaging service shut down the accounts that forwarded them.

Congress applauds “reunification” with Taiwan

“In response to separatist activities in search of ‘independence’ and cruel provocations from abroad, we have fought with determination, demonstrating skill and strength to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Xi said of growing tensions with neighboring Taiwan, the island that China claims as its own and considers a rebel province.

“We will pursue peaceful reunification but we will never promise to give up the use of force as an option,” the CCP leader warned before defining China as a power that will promote world peace and “will never seek hegemony” or ” expansionism. “

The Great Hall of the People exploded to the biggest applause of the morning as the president assured that “reunification will be achieved”, and took the opportunity to refer to Hong Kong and the “turbulent developments” there. “The central government exercised its jurisdiction to ensure Hong Kong was ruled by patriots. We have restored order,” he said.

A quick reaction came from Taipei. The office of the Presidency has assured the island that it will not give up its sovereignty or give up when it comes to freedom and democracy. He added that most Taiwanese oppose the “one country, two systems” model that Beijing promotes for the island.

Xi, rumbo to a sent tercer

The Chinese leader is on track to obtain a third term, something unprecedented among his predecessors and which would make him the most powerful man in the Asian giant since Mao Zedong.

The probable third term of Xi raises suspicions among those who foresee “a worsening of civil and political rights, already severely limited, as the authorities respond to complaints with more censorship, arbitrary arrests and repression”, according to the NGO Human Vigilancia de los derechos.

Amnesty International warned that extending Xi’s mandate would be a “human rights disaster”. In addition to conditions within China, the body noted China’s efforts to “redefine the very meaning of human rights” at the United Nations.

Xi called for the strengthening of national security

“We will work faster to modernize military theory, personnel and weapons,” Xi promised in the speech, adding that “we will strengthen the strategic capabilities of the military.”

The party’s military arm, the People’s Liberation Army, must “safeguard China’s fundamental dignity and interests,” Xi said, referring to a list of territorial claims. China is the world’s second largest arms investor, after the United States, and is seeking to expand its power by developing ballistic missiles, aircraft carriers and overseas outposts.

“We need to strengthen our sense of distress, adhere to the underlying thinking, be prepared for danger in peacetime, prepare for a rainy day and be prepared to endure great trials of strong winds and waves,” he said.

Xi mentioned the word “security” or “protection” 73 times, up from 55 times in 2017, transcripts from the state-owned Xinhua news agency revealed, promising that China will strengthen its ability to build a strategic deterrence capacity.

During the Congress, Xi did not mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing refuses to condemn. In February, before the war began, Xi issued a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying they had a “boundless” friendship.

With EFE and AP