Xi declares ‘new era’ for China as party congress opens

Documentary on Xi’s national governing philosophy gets Asia-Pacific exposure https://t.co/292LrR1WCx pic.twitter.com/aLoikBn7Se

— People’s Daily,China (@PDChina) October 18, 2017

On other fronts, Xi touted efforts to complete the army’s modernisation by 2035 and build artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

In a stern warning to self-ruled Taiwan, he said China has the “ability to defeat separatist attempts for Taiwan independence in any form”.

Xi, who has championed globalisation in the face of President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, vowed to further open up China’s economy.

Foreign companies complain that Xi’s words have not been backed by deeds, as the state retains control over the economy.

Trump, who will visit Beijing next month, has launched a trade investigation into China’s intellectual property practises.

“China will not close its doors to the world, we will only become more and more open,” Xi said.

– Any heir apparent? –

Authorities stepped up policing for the week-long congress, with red armband-wearing “security volunteers” fanning out across the capital, karaoke bars closing and knife sales restricted.

Chinese tech companies restricted social media users from changing their profile pictures and names, while positive messages dominated Twitter-like Weibo and photos circulated of children watching the speech in classrooms.

The conclave, which will mostly meet behind closed doors and end next Tuesday, will select new top party members, including for the Politburo Standing Committee, China’s all-powerful ruling body.

Xi and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to remain on the committee while the five other current members are supposed to step down under an informal retirement age set at 68.

But analysts say Xi’s 69-year-old right-hand man and anti-graft chief, Wang Qishan, could stay on, creating a precedent for Xi himself to remain in charge beyond retirement age in 2022.

But a Xi heir apparent could emerge from the congress.

One former potential successor who was outside Xi’s circle, Sun Zhengcai, was ousted from the party last month due to graft allegations.

Chen Miner, a former Xi aide who succeeded Sun as political chief in the city of Chongqing, is now well positioned for promotion.