In a speech delivered at the conclusion of China’s yearly legislative meetings, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Communist Party would seek a larger role on the international stage.
He also said the Communist Party would pursue the reform and development of the global governance system.
President Xi Jinping declares intention to play larger role in global governance
During his third term as president, for which he was unanimously elected by the National People’s Congress, Xi Jinping indicated China would work to build an international climate conducive to its development.
At the conclusion of the “two sessions,” which assemble annually to develop new legislation for the country, Xi gave an address.
The Communist Party retains complete control over both the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress. It often stifles any dissenting viewpoints.
Typically, the party develops a list of policy subjects to be discussed before the meeting.
#China’s National People’s Congress confirmed #LiQiang as the county’s new premier on March 11, 2023, during the annual “two sessions”, becoming the country’s second-in-command behind President #XiJinping. Li has held top roles in eastern coastal hubs, including Shanghai. pic.twitter.com/3sBYCzjlHD
— The Asian Standard (@asian_standard) March 11, 2023
In principle, the “two sessions” are also used to select new members of Xi’s government and a president.
In practice, however, Xi has purged any Communist Party members who posed a danger to his leadership or had the potential to succeed him, leaving him surrounded by aging officials and without viable alternatives to rule the country.
At his final address to the NPC on Monday, Xi Jinping lauded China’s expanding global influence and vowed to devote his efforts in the coming year to transforming the world in China’s image.
However, reports from Chinese state propaganda and international media indicate that Xi did not address significant domestic issues facing the Chinese people.
These are issues such as the nation’s declining birth rate, a stagnant economy, shortages of basic medicines, and international corporations moving business to neighbor nations, such as Vietnam and India.
Concerns arise about Xi’s lack of attention to domestic issues, ambiguity in the implementation
On Monday, the state-run Global Times newspaper reported Chinese President Xi Jinping stated China would commit itself to peace, development, collaboration, and mutual gain.
Xi highlighted that China would take a clear stance on the right side of history, engage in real multilateralism, and protect humanity’s shared ideals.
He added that China would actively participate in the reform and development of the global governance system, contribute to the development of an open global economy.
The “Global Security Initiative” and “Global Development Initiative” are initiatives championed by Xi Jinping that urge other nations to forgo their “excessive pursuit of self-interest” and collaborate to advance world peace and the eradication of poverty.
Yet, the recommendations are deemed ambiguous; there are concerns among free nations about the absence of firm action demands. Currently, the Chinese government has not revealed any information beyond Xi’s first proposal of the initiative’s ambitious objectives.
Economic crisis, why does China's regime still sharply increase military spending?
China's regime on March 5 announced that this year they would set aside 1.56 trillion yuan (nearly $225 billion) for the military budget, up 7.2% from last year.
The Chinese Communist regime's… https://t.co/4olLYPm7jk pic.twitter.com/kBWviEeNpv
— Spotlight on China (@spotlightoncn) March 8, 2023
In addition to raising doubts about China’s expanding military spending, Xi’s appeals for China to lead the world into an age of world peace appear to contradict his words at the beginning of the parliamentary sessions.
The previous week, Xi asserted the United States orchestrated a global plot to destroy modern China and the Chinese people must prepare to exterminate the country’s adversaries.
