'China must prepare for difficult times'

"Today, on the new Long March, we must overcome great risks and challenges at home and abroad," Xinhua quoted Xi Jinping as saying.

"Our country is still in a period of crucial strategic opportunities for development, but the international situation is becoming increasingly complex. We must be aware of the long-term nature and complexity of various adverse factors both domestically and internationally, and prepare appropriately for each different difficult situation," Xi added.

President Xi Jinping urged China to prepare for difficult times. Photo: Reuters

However, Xinhua did not elaborate on the difficulties China is facing, nor did it directly mention its trade war with the United States.

Xi Jinping also stated that China must master more core technologies and seize a "high position" in industrial development. "Only when we possess our own intellectual property and core technologies can we produce competitive products, and only then can we achieve an unbeatable position in the fiercely competitive environment," Xi emphasized.

Xi's statements came after talks to resolve the trade dispute broke down, and the world's two largest economies were drawn into a tense trade war.

Tensions have also escalated since the Washington administration last week placed China's telecommunications equipment company Huawei on a trade blacklist, prohibiting the company from freely buying and selling equipment and components from US technology companies without Washington's approval.

However, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said in an interview with Fox News on May 21 that Beijing remains open to trade negotiations with Washington.