China raises military spending, calls on army to “boost combat readiness”
China will “resolutely fight against Taiwan’s “independence” and “for the reunification of the motherland,” according to the government action report read out Sunday by the outgoing premier, Li Keqiangduring the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC, Legislative).
“We have to bring to practice the strategy of the Communist Party (CPC). on the Taiwan issue, that is, to resolutely fight against its ‘independence’ and for the reunification of the motherland,” Li said during the speech.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei deteriorated last summer following a visit to the island by the then speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosiwhich raised tensions in the strait to unprecedented highs in years.
“We will promote a peaceful development of relations We should promote cross-strait economic and cultural cooperation and enhance policies to improve the welfare of Taiwanese compatriots,” he added. We should promote economic and cultural cooperation between the two sides and enhance policies to improve the welfare of Taiwan compatriots,” he added.
All, according to Li, “in order to promote on both sides actions in favor of the enhancement of Chinese culture.”
According to his report, the CCP has already been waging “a major struggle against secession” in Taiwan and. against “intrusions”in apparent reference to the United States, which Beijing criticizes as interfering in its internal affairs in relation to Taiwan, a territory that China claims as its own.
Taiwan, with which the U.S. country does not maintain official relations, is one of the major sources of conflict between China and the US, mainly because Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and would be its major military ally in the event of a war with the Asian giant.
China announced Sunday that it will increase its Defense spending by 7.2%. this year to 1.55 trillion yuan ($224.384 billion, 210.685 billion euros) after the item grew by 7.1% in 2022, according to a report to be reviewed in the coming days by the NPA.
In his speech, Li asserted that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) must “boost its combat readiness and their military capabilities to achieve the tasks entrusted to them by the Party.”
“The Chinese armed forces have to intensify their training and readinessto develop new military strategic guidelines” or “to strengthen military work in all directions and domains”.
Li also asserted that China will continue to “committed to an independent and peaceful foreign policy.”
“We will continue with our strategy of openness for mutual benefit.and we will continue to work to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development and maintain international order,” he said.
The outgoing premier did not mention the war in Ukraine, but stressed that China’s Global Security and Development initiatives will seek to “promote values shared by humanity.”
The Global Security Initiative is a project announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April 2022 that opposes the use of sanctions on the international stage or what Beijing considers “unilateralism.” “confrontation between blocs.” Or “cold war mentality”.
