China can be undefeatable in a world mired in political turmoil, as long as it is self-reliant and balances its relationship with the outside world, Xi Jinping told Communist Party cadres in January.
His 10,000-word speech, given just five days after the Capitol Riots in the U.S., were published by the party's bimonthly theoretical journal Qiushi last Friday.
In his remarks titled "Seizing a New Development Stage, Implementing a New Development Philosophy and Constructing a New Development paradigm," the Chinese leader said the world was experiencing "profound change not seen for a century."
China, Xi alluded, has the right leadership and government to capitalize on the "enormous and unprecedented" opportunities and challenges facing the country's development. There would be more opportunities than challenges, he predicted.
"The world today can be characterized by one feature—'turmoil'—and this trend is likely to continue," Xi told officials at the Central Party School on January 11.
As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the world, the "superiority" of different leaderships and political systems was "immediately evident," he said.
"Time and momentum are on our side," Xi added. "This is where our conviction and strength lie, and where our resolve and confidence reside."
In his talk, Xi stressed the importance of balance between the Chinese economy's self-sufficiency and its opening-up to external markets.
He said: "As long as we can stand on our own and maintain fluidity in our domestic [market] circulation, we will be invincible and can weather any storm."
"We will remain vigorous and continue to survive and development," he added. "No one can defeat us."
Xi called for the rapid construction of a new development paradigm, where "survivability, competitiveness, development and sustainability" ensure no delays to the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
The Chinese president also quoted the 1936 words of Communist Party icon Mao Zedong: "No matter how complicated, grave and harsh the circumstances, what a military leader needs most of all is the ability to function independently in organizing and employing the forces under his command.
"He may often be forced into a passive position by the enemy, but the important thing is to regain the initiative quickly. Failure to do so spells defeat. The initiative is not something imaginary but is concrete and material."
July 2021 marks 100 years since the Chinese Communist Party's founding and is one of two major milestones Xi could preside over, the other being the 100th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027.
Preparations for this summer's centennial began in March, when officials declared the regime the world's "largest Marxist ruling party," with nearly 92 million card-carrying members.
Xi, who oversaw the abolishment of presidential term limits in 2018, is expected to be re-elected for a third five-year term at the 20th National Party Congress in 2022.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
John Feng is Newsweek's contributing editor for Asia based in Taichung, Taiwan. His focus is on East Asian politics. He ... Read more
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