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(ANS) — China “stands on the right side of history,” the country’s leader Xi Jinping said Saturday in a New Year’s address that came as questions swirl over his government’s handling of COVID-19 and economic and political challenges at home and abroad. online news
During his New Year’s address, China’s President Xi Jingping said that his country is on the right side of history.
He made this statement in the wake of an alleged incident in the South China Sea.
US military officials maintained that a Chinese jet came close to hitting a US fighter jet.
During his presentation, which was televised to the nation, Mr. Xi had emphasized what he had called successes in the context of poverty elimination, agricultural production and the upcoming Olympics game in February.
Perhaps acknowledging the fraught situation, concerning Taiwan and US sales of weapons to Taiwan, he said that the world is not at peace.
During his presentation, he said China will “always steadfastly advocate for peace and development … and unswervingly stands on the right side of history.”
Recent weeks have seen street protests against Xi’s government, the first facing the ruling Communist Party in more than three decades.
During the past month, there have been protests against lockdowns and stringent restrictions, in the context of the virus. As a result of protests and unrest, China found it necessary to ease some of those restrictions; more recently, it announced the lifiting of travel restrictions with regard to international travel.
Setting aside their uncertainty, people in Beijing and other cities have returned to work, shopping areas and restaurants, with consumers preparing for January’s Lunar New Year holiday, the most significant in the Chinese calendar.
In October, Mr. Xi was given a third five-year term as head of the Communist Party. He is also the head of China’s armed forces.
Having sidelined potential rivals and eliminated all limits on his terms in office, he could potentially serve as China’s leader for the rest of his life.
A number of countries have criticized China for its support for Russia.
On Friday, for example, Mr. Xi held a virtual meeting with Russia’s President Putin. He was quoted as describing events in Ukraine as constituting a “crisis.
In previous remarks, China’s president has described the war in Ukraine as “Ukraine’s situation.”
In his remarks to President Putin, Mr. Xi was careful to reiterate Chinese support for Russia.
China has pledged a “no limits” friendship with Russia and hasn’t blamed Mr. Putin for the conflict, while criticizing the U.S. and NATO and condemning punishing economic sanctions imposed on Russia.
Affiliated News Services
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