In his New Year's address, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized resilience and confidence while cautioning against global uncertainties. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a shift in trade policies, The Hill reported.
Jinping highlighted the strength of China's economy and the nation's ability to overcome challenges in his speech, delivered as Trump prepares for his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Xi underscored China's evolving pressures, including external uncertainties and the need for economic transformation.
"The Chinese economy faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones," Xi stated, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Acknowledging the reduced reliance on international investment, he expressed optimism about the country's resilience.
"But we can prevail with our hard work," he affirmed. "As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident."
His address coincides with mounting trade tensions between the U.S. and China. On his first day back in office, Trump pledged to impose an additional 10% tariff on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China through an executive order. He has also been vocal about recalibrating international trade agreements.
In the aftermath of this announcement, Trump described his discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as "productive," as Trudeau met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Although tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated since Trump first assumed office in 2017, the president-elect invited Xi to attend his upcoming inauguration. The gesture sparked mixed reactions, with many analysts suggesting that Xi would decline the invitation.
"This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too," incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented.
Trump has previously described Xi as a friend and an important global partner. During a press conference earlier this month at Mar-a-Lago, Trump emphasized the potential for collaboration between the two nations.
"China and the United States can, together, solve all of the problems in the world, if you think about it. So it's very important. He was a friend of mine," Trump said. "We spent hours and hours talking, and he is an amazing guy."
However, Xi's remarks during his address also included a stark message directed at Taiwan, signaling Beijing's firm stance on reunification.
"The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification," Xi said, as reported by Reuters.
Beijing has intensified its military presence around Taiwan following the election of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te in May, reaffirming its position on eventual reunification with China.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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