Xi demands ‘strong hands’ to maintain stability ahead of Communist Party congress
President Xi Jinping’s comments come as government prepares for five-yearly meeting in Beijing next month that will oversee changes in country’s leadership
Stability is an absolute principle that needs to be dealt with using “strong hands”, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told security officials ahead of next month’s key congress of the ruling Communist Party.
The stability-obsessed party brooks no challenge to its rule and always steps up security ahead of important meetings.
People working in the public security sector should improve their political awareness and maintain the authority and unified leadership of the party, Xi said, in comments reported by the official Xinhua news agency late on Tuesday.
“Xi noted that development and stability were the absolute principles, so both should be dealt with by strong hands,” Xinhua said.
It is important to prevent and control major risks through the party’s leadership, Xi added.
More effort needs to be exerted to improve “social governance by socialism with Chinese characteristics” to ensure the country enjoys long-term peace and stability, he was cited as saying.