Xi Jinping calls for self-reliance as China grapples with long-term US challenge of trade war and ban on Huawei and other technology manufacturers
- Chinese president uses three-day trip to Jiangxi to drive home importance of indigenous technology and resources
- Analyst says two countries could be at odds well after the next decade
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need for self-reliance and innovation in a rallying call to the country to prepare to fend off various long-term challenges from the United States.
“Technological innovation is the root of life for businesses,” Xi said on Monday on a visit to Jiangxi province, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. “Only if we own our own intellectual property and core technologies, then can we produce products with core competitiveness and [we] won’t be beaten in intensifying competition.”
Xi’s comments, broadcast across the country on Wednesday night, came after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order effectively banning products made by the Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from the US market.
They also follow a breakdown in the 10 months of trade talks between the two countries, resulting in China and the US trading fresh punitive tariffs on imports.
Xi made the call for self-reliance during a trip to JL Mag Rare-Earth, a major rare earths processing company in Ganzhou, the first stop of his three-day tour of Jiangxi.