'China must prepare for difficult times'
The call was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a three-day inspection tour this week to Jiangxi province in southeastern China.
“Today, on the new Long March, we must overcome major risks and challenges at home and abroad,” Xinhua news agency quoted Xi Jinping as saying.
“Our country is still in a period of important strategic opportunities for development, but the international situation is increasingly complex. We must be aware of the long-term nature and complexity of various adverse factors both at home and abroad, and make appropriate preparations for different difficult situations,” Xi added.
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| Mr. Tap called on China to prepare for difficult times. Photo: Reuters |
However, Xinhua did not elaborate on the difficulties China is facing and did not directly mention its trade war with the United States.
Xi also said that China must master more core technologies and seize the “high ground” in industrial development. “Only by owning our own intellectual property and core technologies can we produce competitive products, and only then can we achieve an unbeatable position in the fierce competition,” Xi stressed.
Xi's comments came after talks to resolve the trade dispute broke down, leaving the world's two largest economies locked in a bitter trade war.
Tensions have also increased since the Washington administration last week put Chinese telecommunications equipment company Huawei on a trade blacklist, banning the group from freely buying and selling equipment and components from US technology corporations without Washington's consent.
However, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said in an interview with Fox News on May 21 that Beijing is still open to trade negotiations with Washington.
