President Xi Jinping opened on Wednesday the Congress of the Communist Party in China twice a decade, welcoming the reforms that he spent during his first five -year period, and sharing his vision where he hopes to accept the nation. William Brangham reports the Congress, since he is preparing to declare the successor to SI and how the new leadership can change the role of China as a global economic partner.
Hari Srinivasan:
President Xi Jinping opened today the Congress of the Communist Party in China with a long list of his achievements during his first five -year period and his vision of where he hopes to take his nation.
But in addition to words, si claims power, like not a single Chinese leader in the decade.
William Brangham reports.
William Brangham:
Applause, music, it was a technique suitable for the team role, which Xi Jinping has taken since he was called the party leader five years ago.
He opened today's trial, welcoming the reforms that he set, and proclaimed a quote – “New Era for China”.
President Xi Jinping:
(Through the translator) The Chinese nation carried out a great jump, from reduction in modern history to distorting its fate in the root and constantly proceed to prosperity.
William Brangham:
For more than 3.5 hours, Si set out his vision in order to form a nation of 1.4 billion people in what he called – the quote – “The Great Modern Socialist Country” over the next three decades.
President Xi Jinping:
The achievement of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not take a walk in the park, and in order to get there, it will be required more than the drum and class Gong Clanging. The whole side should be prepared to make more difficult, intense efforts.
William Brangham:
Susan Shirk -Chairman of the Chinese Center of the 21st century at the University of California at the San Dig.
Susan Shirk, University of California, San Diego: Xi Jinping has a vision of the role of China in the world, which is much more ambitious than everything that we saw before, speaking of China, which moves to the center of the world and has a much greater influence than before.
William Brangham:
In his speech, Si largely ignored the issue of political reforms in China, and he did not mention President Trump or nuclear weapons program in North Korea.
But in rare steps, he admitted that problems that the economy focused on export of China arose with a global weakening of demand.
President Xi Jinping:
While the general productive forces of China have improved significantly, and in many areas our production capacities lead the world, a more noticeable problem is that our development is unbalanced and inadequate.
William Brangham:
Si was one of the first foreign leaders who met with President Trump.
President Donald Trump:
I think that relations developed by President XI and me are outstanding.
William Brangham:
It was clearly warmer than the previous critic of Mr. Trump against China and his economic and trade policy.
But other US officials are more critical in relation to Beijing.
Rex Tillerson, State Secretary: China, while rising with India, did it less responsibly.
William Brangham:
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today criticized the aggressive demonstrations of China of economic and military power, especially its expansion on artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Rex Tillerson:
We will not get away from China's problems to the rules based on the rules of order, and where China undermines the sovereignty of neighboring countries and the shortcomings of the United States and our friends.
Susan Shirk:
I think that in China’s foreign policy there is something to worry about, which are mainly related to these issues of the sovereignty of marine sovereignty, as well as some mockery in Asia, but global ambitions may turn out to be positive.
William Brangham:
Susan Shirk says that China filled a vacuum left by the Learn of the United States from global agreements, such as Transstechoocian partnerships and Parisian climatic agreements.
Perhaps the most important thing that needs to be observed in the next few days is the one who sets as a likely successor.
Susan Shirk:
That is why there are now a lot of speculation, when he can try, like Putin, to stay outside his usual term or to rule behind the scenes even after he retired.
William Brangham:
President Trump will go to Beijing to meet SI next month.
For PBS Newshour, I am William Brangham.
