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Xi declares ‘new era’ for China as party congress opens

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DREAM PLANS: President envisioning a great modern socialist country by mid-century -


Beijing: President Xi Jinping declared China has embarked on a “new era” of challenges and opportunities on Wednesday as he opened a Communist Party congress expected to enhance his already formidable power.


Xi told some 2,300 delegates at the imposing Great Hall of the People that the party must “resolutely oppose” any actions that undermine its leadership as it steers a course through a high-stakes period in its development.


“The situation both domestic and abroad is undergoing profound and complex changes,” said Xi, who is expected to secure a second five-year term as general secretary and stack leadership positions with loyalists during the twice-a-decade congress.


“China’s development is still in a stage of important strategic opportunities. The prospects are bright, but the challenges are also severe,” he said in a marathon speech that exceeded three hours and was met by waves of applause.


“Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era,” he said, envisioning a “great modern socialist country” by mid-century.


Speaking in front of a massive hammer and sickle, Xi touted his nationalistic “China dream” slogan, vowed to open the economy, promised to win the fight against poverty, and pointedly warned he would continue his “zero tolerance” campaign against corruption.


Xi said the campaign has been “unswervingly fighting against ‘tigers’, ‘beating flies’, ‘hunting foxes’”— terms used for lower- and higher-ranking officials and fugitives.


On other fronts, Xi touted efforts to complete the army’s modernisation by 2035 and build artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.


In a stern warning to self-ruled Taiwan, he said China has the “ability to defeat separatist attempts for Taiwan independence in any form”.


Xi, who has championed globalisation in the face of President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, vowed to further open up China’s economy.


“China will not close its doors to the world, we will only become more and more open,” Xi said.


Authorities stepped up policing for the week-long congress, with red armband-wearing “security volunteers” fanning out across the capital, karaoke bars closing and knife sales restricted.


The conclave, which will mostly meet behind closed doors and end next Tuesday, will select new top party members, including for the Politburo Standing Committee, China’s all-powerful ruling body. Xi and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to remain on the committee while the five other current members are supposed to step down under an informal retirement age set at 68. — AFP


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