Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of China’s Communist Party and the Chairman of the country’s Central Military Commission, delivered an under-publicised speech earlier this week. This event was significant given the large audience in attendance. When he addressed the chosen party delegates, some hoisting large red banners proclaiming China’s greatness and future success, seemingly countless heads turned towards him. With the celebratory sounds of musical bands and cheerful drum beats that occasionally drowned the other speakers, the release of 100,000 red balloons with yellow crescents and hammers insignia painted on them from the ceiling was a sight to behold.
However, when the main speaker took to the podium, a hush descended over the room. All prayed that the large screen displays spread across the vast hall would not fail, hinging on every word. What made the audience sit upright wasn’t his surprising personal narratives about his youth and family. Instead, it was his assertions about China’s might and the steps it would take to preserve their global supremacy that made them tune in avidly.
Based on the official translated version of his speech, he declared, “As the supreme leader of the military, I will ensure the world’s most formidable and lethal armed forces under our command. I will fulfil the sacred duty of taking care of our soldiers and their kin.” His words were met with loud applause, particularly when he praised the ‘most powerful and robust’ military. However, this statement may have caused many global citizens concern.
As he continued to outline his plan, he affirmed that China – not America – in the competitive 21st century would triumph. Xi Jinping pledged to promote the country’s superiority globally and advance its leading position in space and artificial intelligence research. These measures, he said, would prevent any regression of Chinese global influence.
It came as a surprise to me that a ‘Competition of the 21st Century’ was in existence, and many would rather it not be so. One would imagine that the earth is sufficiently cluttered without any additional obstructions hovering above. This conjures up memories of Reagan’s infamous ‘Star Wars’, which yielded no positive results to date.
Further, he affirmed, ‘I shall always take necessary actions to safeguard our military personnel and our secular interests from Iran’s Terrorists… Exposed! Let’s wage war for ourselves!’
As for me, I have barely enjoyed a peaceful night’s rest in a bomb bunker since that time. Frequently, the apocalyptic vision is bombarded when the authoritative rhetoric emerges. Nobody wishes for China to obliterate it or propagate their bloody thirst for war and domination globally.
The only issue with that address was the fact that it was not actually Xi Jinping who said it to his Communist comrades.
At the Democratic Party Conference in Chicago on 20th August, Kamala Harris repeatedly resonated with enthusiasm as she accepted her candidacy for the presidency.