China will not concede "a single inch of land": Xi
Soon after being re-elected for a second five-year term with prospects of continuing as the President of China for life, Xi Jinping asserted that his country will not concede "a single inch of land" and guard its sovereignty. Besides the border dispute with India, China claims rights over the disputed islands in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Here's more.
Decades-old two-term limit for President and Vice President removed
In a 30-minute-long speech after the 18-day long parliament session, Xi said, "The Chinese people and the Chinese nation have a shared conviction which is, not a single inch of our land will be and can be ceded from China." During its session, China's National People's Congress has ratified the constitutional amendment removing the decades-old two-term limit for the President and Vice President.
Xi was re-elected by 2,970 deputies for the second term
The removal of the decade-old two-term limit has paved the way for Xi to continue in power for life. He also was re-elected by the 2,970 deputies for the second five-year term as the President and head of the military. In October, last year he was elected as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) for the second five-year term.
What did President Xi say in reference to Taiwan?
"We should safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and achieve full unification of the motherland. This is the aspiration of all Chinese people. This is also in line with fundamentals of the Chinese nation," Xi said in an apparent reference to Taiwan.
President Xi delivers a stern message to the separatists
Delivering a stern message to separatists, Xi said, "Faced with this important question of our nation and history, any action that separates the country is doomed to fail. These separatist actions will be met with the condemnation of the people and punishment of the history." "Chinese people have strong determination, full confidence, and every capability to triumph over all the separatist actions," he said.
China's development does not pose threat to any country
Xi said any actions and tricks to split China are certain to meet with people's condemnation and the punishment. Seeking to allay fears about absolute powers enjoyed by him controlling all levers of power, Xi vowed to continue to serve as a servant of the people. He also said that China's development does not pose a threat to any other country.
The Chinese president also took a dig at the US
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. Only those who are accustomed to threatening others see everyone as a threat," he said, taking a dig at the US. "The Chinese people's sincere wish and practical action to contribute to the peace and development of humanity should not be misinterpreted, nor should they be distorted," Xi said, adding that "justice will prevail!"
President Xi expressed gratitude for the trust placed on him
Xi said, "It's a glorious mission and weighty responsibility to take on this great position of the President of the People's Republic of China." "I will, as always, faithfully fulfill my responsibilities empowered by the Constitution, be loyal to the motherland and the people, perform my duty scrupulously, do all my best, be diligent at work, and stay devoted and dedicated," he said.
