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Two Sessions 2023
ChinaPolitics

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Xi Jinping tells defence delegation new policy crucial for stronger army and nation

  • President says ‘enhancing integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities’ key to China’s aim of becoming a global power
  • Beijing encourages big-picture thinking and making best use of national laboratories to maximise ‘overall strategic capabilities’

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On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping told a PLA delegation to the National People’s Congress China had to speed up building national reserve systems suitable for the defence of a big country. Photo: Xinhua
Liu Zhen
Improving China’s “integrated strategic capabilities” is needed to fulfil China’s goal of national rejuvenation and building a world-class army, Chinese President Xi Jinping said.
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In a meeting with the People’s Liberation Army delegation to the 14th National People’s Congress on Wednesday, Xi said the strategy was key to China’s aim of becoming a global power in an increasingly competitive and challenging world. The delegation includes representatives from the military and the People’s Armed Police – a paramilitary unit.

“[Whether we can] implement this policy well … has profound significance in our building of a modern socialist country, pushing forward our dream of national rejuvenation … and accelerating the modernisation of our army as a world-class armed force,” Xi was quoted by state broadcaster CCTV as saying.

02:52

China's 'two sessions': Premier Li Keqiang emphasises achievements, economy in final work report

China's 'two sessions': Premier Li Keqiang emphasises achievements, economy in final work report
The concept – officially known as “enhancing integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities” and promoted after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party in October – emphasises broader planning, integrated mustering and allocation of resources and coordination under a unified leadership.

“The key … is about integration,” Xi said. “[It’s success] will decide whether we can maximise our overall strategic capabilities.”

According to the CCTV report, Xi told the PLA delegates they should develop a big-picture mindset when they put the idea into practice and pursue breakthroughs with new technologies and innovations.

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He called for national laboratories to be put to good use so they could play an instrumental role in China’s self-reliance drive and gain a “new competitive edge in national development and international competition”.

In addition, he said China had to speed up building national reserve systems suitable for the defence of a big country.

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