China arms massively: Xi wants a “big steel wall” Now the Ukrainians are firing at the “death zone”

Given the rising tensions with the US and the West, the Chinese head of state and party leader wants to make the People’s Republic stronger through more independence. The military will also be expanded into a “Great Wall of Steel,” President Xi Jinping said in a speech at the end of the annual session of the People’s Congress in Beijing on Monday.

The nearly 3,000 delegates approved a sharp 7.2 percent increase in defense spending and other decisions. After the end of the zero-Covid policy with lockdowns and forced quarantine in December, the second largest economy is expected to grow again at “around five percent”.

In the uncertain times, Xi Jinping called for stability to be maintained. “Security is the basis for development and stability is the precondition for prosperity,” said the president. In his speech, he advocated promoting innovation and “scientific and technological autonomy”, but did not address US sanctions on key technologies. “We should strive to effectively improve the quality of the economy and achieve reasonable quantitative growth.”

However, it will not be easy for China to achieve growth of around five percent as planned, the new Premier Li Qiang said at his first carefully orchestrated press conference. Additional efforts are needed.

‘Must and can cooperate with the United States’

The outlook for the global economy is “not optimistic”. China has many uncertainties, instability and unpredictable events. “Stabilizing economic growth is a challenging task not only for China, but for all countries in the world.”

Given the tense relations with the US, the new prime minister took a rather conciliatory tone and called for cooperation to be expanded. Disconnection serves no one.

The two largest economies are closely linked, from which both benefited. “China and the United States can and should work together.” He responded only indirectly to Xi Jinping’s accusation that the United States wanted to prevent China’s rise in the world through containment and isolation: “Encirclement and oppression is in no one’s interest.”

“Peaceful” reunification with Taiwan

Xi Jinping also appeared to be holding back on the conflict over Taiwan. In his speech he called for a “reunion”. Relations must be developed “peacefully”. But “external interference” and “splitting activities” by independence forces must be firmly rejected. The unification process must continue “unwaveringly”. However, Xi Jinping did not repeat earlier statements that Beijing would not rule out military force if other efforts failed.

Tensions around Taiwan had recently increased. The communist leadership considers the democratic island republic to be part of the People’s Republic. But Taiwan has long considered itself independent. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, international concern has grown that China might take similar measures against Taiwan. In this case, the United States would also be drawn into the conflict, as it is committed to Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.

During the nine-day session, Xi Jinping cemented his power by securing an unprecedented third term and gaining more followers. In doing so, he defied previously respected age and tenure limits. The 69-year-old had anchored his lasting leadership role in the party statutes at the party congress in October. He could even remain in office for life. In doing so, he joins the founder of the state, Mao Tsetung (1893-1976), who brought chaos to the country.

“The Mao era highlights the dangers of the over-concentration of power in a communist political system, which is a major problem in China today,” said University of California China professor Susan Shirk, former department head of the US State Department. Business and author of ” Overreach – How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise”. “If no one dares to question the leader’s decisions, the leader tends to make mistakes – not just minor mistakes, but mistakes that affect an entire society endanger.” (sda/dpa)