No force can rattle our nation, declares Xi as China shows off its military might
XI JINPING, China’s president, said yesterday that “no force” could rattle his nation as it celebrated 70 years of Communist party rule by showcasing its military prowess in a highly choreographed parade of 15,000 troops and hi-tech missiles and weaponry.
“There is no force that can shake the foundation of this great nation,” said Mr Xi, emphasising Chinese unity and progress as he addressed his nation and the world from Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the symbolic seat of power.
“No force can stop the Chinese people and the Chinese nation forging ahead,” he told jubilant crowds waving national flags during his eight-minute speech from the top of the Tiananmen Gate,
where chairman Mao Tse-tung announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
But just hours later, the scenes in China were in danger of being eclipsed amid more protests in Hong Kong and public shock at the police shooting of a teenager in the chest.
Ahead of the anticipated unrest, Mr Xi, dressed in a dark grey Mao suit for the meticulously planned occasion, tried to steer the domestic and international narrative to the triumph of Chinese nationalism that had lifted the nation of 1.4 billion from the “humiliation” of colonialism.
Briefly addressing the situation in Hong Kong, where pro-democracy protests have raged for four months, he stressed that China was committed to “long-term stability” and “to strive for the complete unification of our country”.
Mr Xi has ambitions to lead a unified China – controlling semi-autonomous territories Hong Kong and Macau as well as self-governed Taiwan – and to replace the US as the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific region.
He put this power on display yesterday with an ostentatious three-hour show of modern weaponry, including a hypersonic-glide missile, the DF-17, which experts say could be difficult for the United States to counter.
The arsenal was a “force for realising the dream of a strong nation and strong military”, said a state TV commentator.
Mr Xi said China would stay on the path of “peaceful development”, but stressed the military would resolutely safeguard the country’s sovereignty and security before he entered a black limousine to inspect his troops, shouting: “Follow the party. Fight to win.”
The military spectacle was followed by a civilian parade of economic achievements and a ceremonial 56-cannon salute – to represent the country’s minority ethnic groups.
Ahead of the celebration, much of the capital was on lockdown, with roads sealed and radio signals blocked.
But a 34-year-old monk from Wenzhou, south-east China, made it to the celebrations, claiming to have visited most of China’s 26 provinces to honour the anniversary. (© Daily Telegraph, London)