Deccan Chronicle

CHINA READY FOR ‘BLOODY BATTLE’: XI

-

Beijing, March 20: China will not cede a “single inch” of its territory to others and is ready to wage a “bloody battle” to assume its due place in the world, a belligeren­t President Xi Jinping, now enjoying a life-long tenure, asserted on Tuesday.

Though Mr Jinping made no mention of any territoria­l issues, the country has been involved in a number of disputes with some of its neighbours.

Besides the border dispute with India, China claims rights over the disputed islands in East China Sea under the control of Japan and vast stretches of the South China Sea.

Beijing, March 20: Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a blistering nationalis­t speech on Tuesday, warning against any attempts to split China and touting the country’s readiness to fight “the bloody battle” to regain its rightful place in the world.

Xi’s address capped an annual session of the National People’s Cong-ress that paved the way for him to rule for life, as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong pushes through his vision of guiding the country through a “new era” of unrivalled global military and economic supremacy.

Days after US President Donald Trump signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan, Xi warned that Beijing would defend its “one China principle”, which sees the self-ruling island as its territory awaiting reunificat­ion.

“All acts and tricks to separate the country are doomed to fail and will be condemned by the people and punished by history,” Xi told nearly 3,000 delegates assembled at the imposing Great Hall of the People. But he also sought to address concerns about ambitious Chinese projects abroad, saying they “will not pose a threat to any country.” “Only those who are accustomed to threatenin­g

DAYS AFTER US President Donald Trump signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan, Xi warned that Beijing would defend its “one China principle”, which sees the self-ruling island as its territory awaiting reunificat­ion.

others will see everyone as a threat,” he added in an address that drew applause from legislator­s.

China is overseeing a massive global trade infrastruc­ture initiative to revive the ancient Silk Road, drawing interest from nations participat­ing in the investment but also criticism from others fearing that it mainly serves Beijing’s interests.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India