China’s Xi calls for military growth as party congress opensBEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Sunday called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that have strained relations with Washington and tightened the ruling Communist Party's control over society and the economy. Xi said the party would build “self-reliance and strength” in technology by improving China’s education system and attracting foreign experts. Xi was joined on stage by party leaders including his predecessor as party leader, Hu Jintao, former Premier Wen Jiabao and Song Ping, a 105-year-old party veteran who sponsored Xi's early career. There was no sign of 96-year-old former President Jiang Zemin, who was party leader until 2002. Xi made his intentions clear in 2018 when he had a two-term limit on the presidency removed from China’s Constitution.

Source: thestar October 16, 2022 21:40 UTC