Alright, relax, mate
China’s President Xi Jinping has sent a stark warning to the country’s rivals, claiming that foreign powers will “get their heads bashed in” if they attempt to meddle in their affairs.
No, these are not the words of a Scooby-Doo villain or year 7s on the playground; this is the leader of a nation.
He delivered his speech on Thursday, which marked a century in power for the Chinese Communist Party.
During the anniversary speech, Xi also said he would not tolerate “sanctimonious preaching”, which is presumably aimed at the US, the BBC reports.
His hour-long speech in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square touched heavily on the self-professed immovable might of the political party.
“Only socialism can save China, and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China,” he said, referring to the system under which the party embraced markets to reform the economy.
“We will never allow anyone to bully, oppress or subjugate China.
“Anyone who dares try to do that will have their heads bashed bloody against the Great Wall of Steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people.”
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Xi Jinping addresses the nation and the world/Via Getty.
Tensions have risen between China and foreign states over accusations that China’s ruling party have committed human rights violations against the Uyghur Muslim population of Xinjiang Province.
Human Rights Watch reports that since 2014, the Chinese government have subjected the Uyghur population to an array of human rights violations. Because of the secrecy of their actions, exact numbers are not known. However, mass detention, torture, forced disappearances are confirmed as being employed.
Relations between the US and China have worsened due to the pandemic, espionage, the Taiwan incident, and trade.
While democratic Taiwan declares itself as a sovereign state, Beijing views the island as a breakaway province. The Taiwan Relations Act means that the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself should Beijing attempt to retake the island by force.
“No one should underestimate the resolve, the will and ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mr Xi also said in his speech. Their “unshakeable commitment” to the unification of Taiwan, where Taiwan wants it or not, is a cause for concern in other countries.
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