The opening of Communist Party Congress, Xi Jinping Calls for Military Strengthening

Mr. Xi, who has been the most influential figure in China for decades, spoke at the opening of the party congress, followed closely to see possible signs of official direction.

Congress comes amid a significant decline in the world's second largest economy and tensions with Washington and Asian neighbours on trade, technology and security. Party plans envision the creation of a prosperous society by the middle of the century and the return of China to its historic role as political, economic and cultural leaders.

Beijing has expanded its presence abroad, including the billion-dollar initiative “A generation, a” road to build ports and infrastructure across Asia and Africa, but economists warn of possible growth curbs.

The next “5 years will be crucial,” said Mr. Xi in a televised address for an hour and 45 minutes before about 2,000 delegates at the Great People's Hall.

He repeatedly repeated his slogan for the “restoration of the Chinese nation”, which includes the revival of the party's role as economic and social leaders in a backlog into what Xi considers a golden era after this party took power in 1949.

Congress will appoint leaders for the next five years. Mr Xi, 69, is expected to break tradition and give himself a third five-year term as secretary-general, as well as to establish allies sharing his idea of party domination.

The party's military arm, the People's Liberation Army, needs “to preserve China's basic dignity and interests,” said Mr. Xi, referring to a number of territorial claims and other issues for whose sake Beijing says it is ready to go to war.

China, with its second largest military budget in the world after the United States, is trying to expand its expansion by developing ballistic, aircraft missiles and bases in other countries.

“We will work faster to modernise military theory, personnel and weapons,” said the Chinese leader.

“We will improve the military's strategic capabilities. ”

Mr. Xi named his government's tough strategy “zer as a success O - COVID”, which has closed major cities and interrupted travel and business. It gave no signal for a possible change despite public disappointment at the rising cost of this strategy.

Congress will appoint an Eternal Committee that is the inner circle of government. / VOA/