'We'll bash your heads bloody against the Great Wall'

Reuters and staff reporter

President Xi Jinping yesterday warned that foreign forces attempting to bully China will "get their heads bashed" and hailed a "new world" created by its people as the ruling Communist Party marked the centenary of its founding.

In an hour-long address from Tiananmen Square, Xi pledged to build up China's military, committed to the "reunification" of Taiwan and said social stability would be ensured in Hong Kong while protecting China's security and sovereignty.

"The people of China are not only good at destroying the old world, they have also created a new world," said Xi, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic.

"Only socialism can save China."

Xi and the party are riding high as China recovers briskly from the Covid-19 outbreak and takes a more assertive stance on the global stage.

Xi said that the people of China would never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or subjugate them.

"Anyone who dares try to do that will have their heads bashed bloody against the Great Wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people," he said, sparking applause from an invited audience of 70,000 gathered in the massive square in central Beijing.

China, whose rapid military modernization has fueled growing worry among its neighbors and in the West, will build up its armed forces to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development, elevating them to world-class standards, Xi said.

"We must accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces," said Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, which controls the country's armed forces.

Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete "reunification" is an "unswerving historical task" of the party, Xi said. "All sons and daughters of China, including compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, must work together and move forward in solidarity, resolutely smashing any 'Taiwan independence' plots."

Regarding Hong Kong and Macau, Xi said China will "stay true to the letter and spirit of the principle of one country, two systems."

Yesterday's celebrations began with a flyby of fighter jets and helicopters observed by the nation's leaders, seated at the southern ramparts of the Forbidden City.

Xi said the "interests and destiny of all people in China" were tied to the CCP leadership and any attempt to turn the people against the party was bound to fail. "The more than more than 1.4 billion Chinese people will never allow such a scenario to come to pass," he said.

Xi closed his speech by leading two crowd-rousing cheers: "Long live the CCP that is great, glorious and right"and "Long live the people who are great, glorious and heroic."

A 60-year-old teacher, Wang, who was photographing the overflying jets from a park on Thursday said he has much admiration for the party.

"Whether it's chairman Mao, or Deng Xiaoping, or today's leaders, it's not easy for them - if you brought foreign leaders here and show how they manage 1.4 billion people, making sure they all have food to eat and a good life, it's truly not easy."

Xi said Hong Kong has to safeguard national safety by implementing the legal system and mechanisms for enforcing the national security law.

The principles of one country, two systems and Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong should continue to be implemented, Xi said, adding the central government has comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's sole delegate to the National People's Congress standing committee, Tam Yiu-chung, said in Beijing yesterday that Xi attached great importance to Hong Kong and reiterated once again that policy toward the SAR had not changed.

Xi has required Hong Kong to continue to implement mechanisms that safeguard national security under the national security law, Tam said.

More reports: Page 8