President Xi Jinping calls on China to maintain the spirit of long-term struggle

“The struggle we face is not short-term but long-term,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening of a training course for young party officials in Beijing yesterday. Xi said the struggle would last at least until 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and officials needed to demonstrate a “fighting spirit” to overcome challenges ranging from security concerns to financial risks.

Mr Xi earlier this year stressed the need to maintain political stability as the economy slows. This year, China is expected to see its slowest gross domestic product (GDP) growth in nearly three decades due to the impact of the trade war with the US.

Xi’s assessment comes just weeks before the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee convenes its first plenary session in 20 months. The meeting is scheduled for October 1, the day China marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country.

"At present and in the future, China's development will enter a period of many risks and challenges emerging at the same time and becoming more complex," Mr. Xi said, listing concerns including the economy, defense, Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.

China is facing a major international setback as US President Donald Trump continues to impose tariffs on Chinese imports in an effort to secure concessions on trade, technology and economic access. The trade dispute has also exacerbated concerns about China’s slowing growth.

The tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China took effect on September 1. Clothing, food, appliances, Bluetooth headphones and televisions are among the $110 billion worth of Chinese consumer goods that will be hit with a new 15% tariff from September 1. A second round of tariffs will take effect on December 15, hitting nearly all remaining Chinese goods.

China has imposed retaliatory tariffs of 5% to 10% on $75 billion worth of US goods, including crude oil. An estimated 1,700 of the 5,078 US-origin products are subject to the new tariffs. The remaining items will be subject to a 10% tariff from December 15.

US Senators Steve Daines and David Perdue met in Beijing earlier this week with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the country’s top trade negotiator, but officials from both countries are struggling to arrange a time for talks after the US rejected China’s request to delay new tariffs.