Xi Jinping tells marines to focus on ‘preparing to go to war’ in military base visit during southern China tour
- China’s president says they have ‘important responsibility’ to safeguard the country’s territory, sovereignty and maritime interests
- He also went to Shantou, where he praised overseas Chinese for their contributions to the nation’s reforms
At the military base near Shantou in the east of the province, Xi told marines they should aim to be a “multifunctional, rapid response, all-weather and region” fighting force.
“[You should] focus your minds and energy on preparing to go to war, and stay highly vigilant,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“Marines have many different missions and the demands on you will vary,” he said. “As such [you] should base your training on [the need to] go into battle … and raise [your] training standards and combat ability.”
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Xi Jinping tells marines to focus on ‘preparing to go to war’ in military base visit
“The United States should immediately cancel the planned weapon sales to Taiwan, stop any arms deals and cut off their military ties,” Zhao said.
Xi visited Shantou in the afternoon, where he said China would achieve its goal of “national rejuvenation” despite the challenges it faced.
In video footage posted by social media users, Xi is seen in Shantou saying that he will emphasise in Shenzhen that China will “unswervingly follow the path of reform and opening up, and continue to build a prosperous and modern Chinese nation”.
Shantou is one of the four special economic zones set up by Beijing in its early days of reform but it has lagged behind Shenzhen, which went on to become China’s hi-tech hub.
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Zhang Siping, a former deputy mayor of Shenzhen, said as Beijing sought to open the country further, the city would again be tasked with achieving a “breakthrough” as it did 40 years ago.
“But the ‘breakthrough’ mission is totally different now,” he said, adding that it would become the “pilot zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
“Against the backdrop of sanctions, containment and decoupling from the US, Shenzhen will need to make breakthroughs in setting new rules, systems and standards, and make China’s economy more integrated with the world’s,” said Zhang, founder of the Shenzhen Innovation and Development Institute, an independent think tank.
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He said Shenzhen would have to reinvent itself and adjust its export-oriented focus in line with the new emphasis on both the international and domestic markets.
Wu Junfei, deputy director of Hong Kong think tank the Tianda Institute, said Xi’s stops in Chaozhou and Shantou had sent a “subtle message” to Chinese entrepreneurs.
“We all know that many top businessmen were born in that area and they have close connections. Many top business leaders in Shenzhen also come from that area, so [the visits are] like a gentle pat on the back,” Wu said.