Chinese president Xi Jinping says China will not renounce the right to use force over Taiwan, in his opening speech at the ruling Communist Party’s 20th congress in Beijing.
Chinese president Xi Jinping says China will not renounce the right to use force over Taiwan, in his opening speech at the ruling Communist Party’s 20th congress in Beijing.
Mr Xi claimed it was up to the Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan issue, in the speech addressing more than 2,300 delegates at the Great Hall of the People.
He said China must also ensure Hong Kong was ruled by patriots, adding that China would support Hong Kong in integrating with the mainland.
The “one country, two systems” regime is the best for Hong Kong and it must be adhered to in the long run, Mr Xi said at the twice-a-decade Communist Party conference, where he is expected to be confirmed for a third five-year term as the country’s leader.
Many of his policies are also expected to continue, including his government’s intolerance of criticism and the stern zero-Covid policy, which he defended, saying it “put people and their lives above all else”.
While critics have pointed out that the hardline policy has taken a toll on the country’s real-estate sector and the tourism industry, he said it “achieved significant positive results in coordinating epidemic prevention and control and social and economic development”.
