Chinese President Xi Jinping Unveils Country's Development Strategy

BEIJING (Sputnik) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China must fully implement the Communist Party's goal to strengthen the army for modern warfare, and adapt its military strategy to new conditions.

"We will make it our mission that by 2035, the modernization of our national defense and armed forces will be basically completed," the Chinese leader said.

Xi added that China should build a powerful and modernized army, navy, air force, rocket force, and strategic support force, develop strong and efficient joint operations for theater commands, and create a modern combat system with distinctive Chinese characteristics.

One China Principle

Xi Jinping said that the so-called one China principle must be preserved in the future to ensure the development of the country in the right direction as well as to restrain separatist trends.

"Since the 18th Congress, we have seen new progress on the issue of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan… We are responding to the changes taking place on the island, resisting and restraining 'Taiwan independence' and separatist forces," Xi said in his speech at the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Beijing seeks to maintain peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Xi noted.

​The Chinese leader added that the "one country, two systems" policy had proved to be the best institutional guarantee for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.

"We will never allow anyone, any organization, or any political party, at any time or in any form, to separate any part of Chinese territory from China," Xi stressed.

In 1992, representatives of mainland China and Taiwan reached a consensus on the "one China principle," implying that both mainland China and Taiwan are inalienable parts of the one single Chinese state.

Policy of Non-expansion

Beijing will never engage in expansion and will not pursue its development at the expense of other state's interests, Xi Jinping said.

"China will by no means sacrifice the interests of other countries for its own development and will not give up its legitimate rights and interests under any circumstances," Xi said in his speech.

The Chinese leader stressed that "no matter what level of development China has achieved, it will never claim a hegemonic position, will never pursue a policy of expansion."

China to Counter Separatism, Extremism

Chinese president stressed that state security was at the core of ensuring peace and stability in the country.

"We will improve our state security system, boost legal options allowing to ensure state security and will build up the capabilities for prevention and countering security risks," Xi said.

The Chinese leader added that the party had to protect the country's sovereignty and fight resolutely against any actions attempting to "undermine the national unity, societal harmony, and stability."

​According to the Chinese authorities, a separatist group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (banned in Russia), is operating in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Beijing suspects the group of links to international terrorist organizations, such as al-Qaeda, also banned in Russia, and attempts to split China. According to media reports, the group is recruiting local residents and sending them to extremist boot camps in Iraq and Syria.

The 19th National Congress of the CPC will last for a week. The party delegates at the congress will elect the new leadership of the Communist Party of China, including the CPC Central Committee.