Important quotes from Xi's speech to the Chinese Communist Party Congress

President Xi Jinping opened China's five-yearly Communist Party Congress with a lengthy address in which he defended Beijing's zero-Covid policy, praised its anti-corruption initiatives, and reiterated Beijing's intention to annex Taiwan, by force if necessary.

Around 2,300 delegates attended the conclave, and Mr. Xi used the speech as an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of his administration. At the end of the week, the delegates are anticipated to elect Mr. Xi to a historic third term in office.

Important moment

To roaring applause, Mr. Xi entered the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before launching into his address, praising the Communist Party's control and emphasising the importance of the occasion.

The Communist Party of China's 20th National Congress is a very significant gathering that took place at a pivotal time, according to Xi.

Prioritizing "lives first"

Mr. Xi said that China had placed "the people and their lives first" when combating the pandemic, despite months of criticism regarding the results of his nation's stringent zero-Covid policy.

He said that China has "safeguarded the safety and health of the people to the highest degree and achieved substantial positive outcomes in combining epidemic prevention and control with social and economic growth."

Taiwan and Hong Kong

Western countries have sharply criticised China's growing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and its efforts to suppress dissent in Hong Kong after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.

But Mr. Xi celebrated the end of Hong Kong's "chaos" on Sunday while denouncing "foreign forces" that interfered in China's self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims as its own.

He continued, promising a "significant war against separatist and interference" in Taiwan, saying that "the situation in Hong Kong has accomplished a substantial transition from disorder to governance."

The "Taiwan issue... must be settled by Chinese people alone," he subsequently stated.

"With the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts, we will continue to pursue the possibility of a peaceful reunification, but we never pledge to giving up the use of force and reserve the right to take all necessary measures," Xi stated.

anti-graft campaign

According to Mr. Xi, the Communist Party and military no longer faced "major latent dangers" as a result of his ongoing campaign against corruption.

He made reference to a campaign that detractors claim has been used to quell internal dissent, saying "the war against corruption has gained an overwhelming triumph and has been fully solidified, eliminating severe latent dangers within the party, the state, and the military."

climate conflict

On Sunday, the Chinese leader reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to the worldwide fight against climate change.

In addition to vowing to "strengthen the clean and efficient use of coal," Xi assured delegates that China will "actively participate in global governance on climate change."

"Cold War mindset"Beijing opposes a "Cold War attitude" in international dealings, Mr. Xi declared, but he omitted to bring up the strained ties with the US.

He said Beijing "would never pursue hegemony and will never participate in expansion," adding that China "resolutely rejects all types of hegemony and power politics, opposes the Cold War mentality, opposes meddling in other countries' domestic matters, opposes double standards."