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China’s 20th Party Congress
ChinaDiplomacy

Xi Jinping’s indirect message to the US in his Communist Party congress report

  • The Chinese president does not mention the United States or Ukraine but the speech does contain signals, analyst says
  • For the first time, Xi uses the word ‘blackmail’ to describe a political situation

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In Shanghai, people watch a screen showing the live broadcast of Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the opening ceremony of the Communist Party congress on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Stella Chen
When President Xi Jinping stepped up to address the Communist Party’s 20th national congress on Sunday morning, he did not address any specific foreign relations policy or any of the major challenges the country has faced over the past five years.
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There was no mention of the dire state of China’s relationship with the United States, China’s position on the invasion of Ukraine and or of Beijing’s controversial zero-Covid policy.

But while the message was not direct it was clear – China will not give way despite rising tension with the West.

07:22

Explainer: How did Xi Jinping rise to power in China?

Explainer: How did Xi Jinping rise to power in China?

Throughout his address, Xi spoke in general terms, offering high praise for the country’s achievements under the party’s leadership since 2017.

“The five years since the 19th national congress were extremely unusual and extraordinary,” Xi said in his work report at the Great Hall of the People.

“The party coordinated the Chinese nation … coped effectively with the severe and complex international situation and the huge risks and challenges that followed, and continuously pushed forward socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era with a spirit of vigour.”

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He added that in the face of rapid changes in the international situation, especially in the face of “external blackmail, containment, blockade and extreme pressure”, China national interests remained paramount and domestic politics was the party’s priority.

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