5 highlights of Mr. Tap's speech 'opening a new era'

China's status and vision of a beautiful society were the highlights of Xi's opening speech at the party congress.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China on October 18. Photo: AFP.

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the 19th Communist Party Congress in Beijing today with a 3-hour and 23-minute speech to declare a “new era” in Chinese politics. Here are five key points from his nearly 30,000-word speech, according to the Guardian.

China's position

Mr. Xi indirectly criticized US President Donald Trump by denouncing isolationism and emphasizing cooperation between countries.

“No country can be an island in its own right, we live in a shared world and face a common destiny,” he said. Guardian writer Benjamin Haas said Xi’s statement was a reference to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.

Mr Xi also outlined the long-term future of China's development on the international stage. He predicted that by 2050, the country would "become a leading power". Part of that plan includes building a "world-class" military.

"China's international status has risen to an unprecedented level," Mr. Xi said. "China's soft power and the international influence of Chinese culture have greatly increased."

Party influence

Xi warned that the Chinese Communist Party faces many challenges, notably corruption. But he stressed that China would never copy other countries' political systems. His statement was a clear sign that China's leaders have no interest in Western ideas of democracy.

Over the past five years, Xi has developed a reputation as a strongman leader, one that has been reflected in his claims that the party has influence over every aspect of life in China, from legislation to technological innovation. His speeches have also left out almost no aspect of Chinese social life.

He also spoke of his theoretical contributions to the party's ideology, stressing that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era." On the fight against corruption, he saw it as a major threat to the party's authority, pledging to introduce new laws to address the issue.

Sovereignty

Xi received the longest applause for his tough remarks on territorial sovereignty and relations with regions such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. According to the Guardian, Xi was mainly targeting Taiwan, but this could also be a warning to Hong Kong.

"We will not tolerate anyone, by any means, at any time, wanting to separate even one inch of land from China," he stressed.

As young people in Taiwan and Hong Kong increasingly doubt the government in mainland China, Mr. Xi vowed to promote propaganda in these regions to "strengthen the ranks of patriots."

Economy

Mr Xi has sought to allay concerns about rising home prices affecting ordinary people in China, where real estate is a popular investment.

"Homes are for living, not for speculation," he asserted. His statement is expected to have a strong impact on the Chinese real estate market, where many speculators are trying to corner the market.

He also pledged to turn China into a “nation of innovators,” focusing on space, cyberspace, and transportation. He promised to increase market access for foreign companies and increase the role of markets in the financial system and exchange rates. However, it is unclear how this will translate into specific policies.

Beautiful China

The Chinese president has stressed the goal of achieving a "moderately prosperous society" by 2020 and laid out an ambitious plan to turn China into a "strong modern socialist country" in the next 30 years - part of what he calls the "Chinese dream".

By 2050, the Communist Party of China will achieve its goal of building a "Beautiful China" based on the rule of law, with many innovative companies, a clean environment, an expanding middle class, adequate public transportation and a reduced urban-rural divide, he said.

He said that bringing happiness is the key to winning the hearts and minds of the people. The leader stressed that the party will tackle the problems of air, water and soil pollution that have plagued China for years.

The Chinese Communist Party needs to "meet the people's growing demand for a clean and beautiful environment," Mr. Xi said. "The Chinese people will be more prosperous and happier."

According to VNE