China’s President Xi Jinping has warned that foreign powers will “get their heads bashed” if they try to bully or influence the country. He delivered a defiant speech at an occurrence marking the centenary of the ruling party on Thursday. Mr. Xi also said Beijing wouldn’t allow “sanctimonious preaching”, in remarks widely seen as directed at the US. It comes as China faces criticism over alleged human rights abuses and its crackdown in the urban centers. Relations between the US and China have worsened in recent times over trade, espionage, and therefore the pandemic. The issue of Taiwan is additionally a serious source of tension. While democratic Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state, Beijing views the island as a breakaway province. The US, under its own laws, is required to produce Taiwan with the means to defend itself should Beijing use force to require the island back. On Thursday Mr. Xi said China maintains an “unshakeable commitment” to unification with Taiwan. “No one should underestimate the resolve, the desire, and talent of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. In response, Taiwan said it had been determined to defend its sovereignty and democracy. “Beijing should introduce democratic reforms, like party competition, and respect for human rights while behaving as a responsible regional player,” the island’s Mainland Affairs Council was quoted as saying by the Taiwan News website. The 100th-anniversary celebrations on Thursday morning saw military jet fly-pasts, cannon salutes, and patriotic songs played. A carefully vetted crowd were attending in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, many of whom weren’t wearing masks. The country has seen a media blitz in recent weeks promoting a party-approved version of China’s history. Hong Kong is additionally marking its handover anniversary on an identical day. What stood move in Xi’s message? Mr. Xi, who spoke for around an hour, reiterated the role of the party in modern China, saying that it’s been central to the country’s growth which attempts to separate it from the people would fail. “Only socialism can save China, and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China,” he said, relating the system under which the party embraced markets to reform the economy. He added that “we will never allow anyone to bully, oppress or subjugate China”. “Anyone who dares try and try this will have their heads bashed bloody against the nice Wall of Steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people,” he said. China has repeatedly accused the US of trying to curb its growth – and these comments also are seen as a relevant Washington. On Hong Kong and Macau – which he said both retain a “high degree of autonomy” – they ought to “accurately implement the principles of ‘one country, two systems”, which underpinned the deal for Britain and Portugal to return the territories to China.
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