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Xi Jinping says China 'will never seek hegemony' | Xi Jinping says China 'will never seek hegemony' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed that his country will not develop at the expense of other nations, in a speech marking 40 years of reform. | Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed that his country will not develop at the expense of other nations, in a speech marking 40 years of reform. |
However, he also said that the global super power would not be told what to do by anyone. | However, he also said that the global super power would not be told what to do by anyone. |
Late leader Deng Xiaoping's campaign of "reform and opening up" began four decades ago. | Late leader Deng Xiaoping's campaign of "reform and opening up" began four decades ago. |
The resulting growth has made China the second largest economy in the world. | The resulting growth has made China the second largest economy in the world. |
Mr Xi said despite China's growth, it would "never seek global hegemony" and also highlighted China's contributions towards a "shared future for mankind". | Mr Xi said despite China's growth, it would "never seek global hegemony" and also highlighted China's contributions towards a "shared future for mankind". |
However, critics have pointed out that China continues to crack down on political dissent and take a hard stance on ethnic tensions. | However, critics have pointed out that China continues to crack down on political dissent and take a hard stance on ethnic tensions. |
Also in recent years, the country has struggled with mounting debt and slowing economic growth. | Also in recent years, the country has struggled with mounting debt and slowing economic growth. |
Asserting Chinese strength | Asserting Chinese strength |
Mr Xi spent much of his long speech listing examples of China's progress over the past decades, praising them as "epic achievements that moved heaven and earth". | Mr Xi spent much of his long speech listing examples of China's progress over the past decades, praising them as "epic achievements that moved heaven and earth". |
He said that given its success, "no one is in a position to dictate to China what to do or not to do". | He said that given its success, "no one is in a position to dictate to China what to do or not to do". |
At the same time, he stressed what he described as Chinese efforts to work towards the greater global good, saying Beijing was a "promoter of world peace," a "defender of international order" and holding "a leading role in dealing with climate change". | At the same time, he stressed what he described as Chinese efforts to work towards the greater global good, saying Beijing was a "promoter of world peace," a "defender of international order" and holding "a leading role in dealing with climate change". |
China's economic reform was initiated by then leader Deng Xiaoping in 1978 and the program was ratified on 18 December that year. | China's economic reform was initiated by then leader Deng Xiaoping in 1978 and the program was ratified on 18 December that year. |
Xi Jinping described the reforms as a "break from the shackles" of previous mistakes. | Xi Jinping described the reforms as a "break from the shackles" of previous mistakes. |
The reform path turned the country away from the old style communism of Mao Zedong when collectivisation had led to an impoverished and inefficient economy. | The reform path turned the country away from the old style communism of Mao Zedong when collectivisation had led to an impoverished and inefficient economy. |
He said the last 40 years had been a "quantum leap for socialism with Chinese characteristics," driving China's "great rejuvenation in modern times". | He said the last 40 years had been a "quantum leap for socialism with Chinese characteristics," driving China's "great rejuvenation in modern times". |
The transformation focussed on agricultural reform, private sector liberalisation, industry modernisation and opening to international trade. | The transformation focussed on agricultural reform, private sector liberalisation, industry modernisation and opening to international trade. |
No political changes | No political changes |
The reforms have not though changed the country's one-party system of communist rule. | |
China's president gave his speech in the so called Great Hall of the People in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, where calls for political reforms were brutally crushed by the military in 1989. | China's president gave his speech in the so called Great Hall of the People in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, where calls for political reforms were brutally crushed by the military in 1989. |
Mr Xi reiterated his belief in strengthening the party leadership and praised Beijing's crackdown on corruption. | Mr Xi reiterated his belief in strengthening the party leadership and praised Beijing's crackdown on corruption. |
Critics say the rule of Xi Jinping has been marked by an ever intensifying crackdown on political dissent. | Critics say the rule of Xi Jinping has been marked by an ever intensifying crackdown on political dissent. |
Authorities have also been accused of brutally repressing the country's Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang province. | Authorities have also been accused of brutally repressing the country's Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang province. |
Xi Jinping is widely seen as China's most influential leader since Mao Zedong. | Xi Jinping is widely seen as China's most influential leader since Mao Zedong. |
In 2017, he cemented his power, enshrining his political views in the constitution. | In 2017, he cemented his power, enshrining his political views in the constitution. |