President Xi says China loves peace but won't compromise on sovereignty

Record ID: 904900

  • Title: President Xi says China loves peace but won't compromise on sovereignty
  • Date: 1st August 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING, SAYING: "The Chinese people love peace. We will never seek aggression or expansion, but we have the confidence to defeat all invasions. We will never allow any people, organisation or political party to split any part of Chinese territory out of the country at any time, in any form." OFFICIALS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING, SAYING: "The people's army must firmly uphold the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and our country's socialist system. (The army) Must firmly protect our country's sovereignty, security, developmental interests, and resolutely protect the peace of the region and the world." OFFICIALS SEATED
  • Embargoed: 15th August 2017 06:29
  • Keywords: China military PLA Xi Jinping anniversary speech sovereignty
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036SBR6F9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China loves peace but will never compromise on defending its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday (August 1) while marking 90 years since the founding of the People's Liberation Army.
    Xi, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, made no direct reference to any particular territorial dispute, as he sought to assure that China's intentions were peaceful, but also show that China would not be bullied.
    China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and an ambitious military modernisation plan.
    China's armed forces, the world's largest, are in the midst of an ambitious modernisation programme, which includes investment in technology and new equipment, such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers, as well as cuts to troop numbers.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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