“At present, the world’s profound changes unseen in a century have accelerated while the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period,” Xi said on September 1 when addressing the opening of a training session for young and middle-aged officials at the Party School of the Central Committee, or the National School of Governance. “The risks and challenges we will see have significantly increased. It is unrealistic to always expect a peaceful life without struggle,” Xi told the assembled youth in rhetoric some have interpreted as moving the nation onto a war footing.
“We must abandon illusions and dare to struggle. On matters of principle, no concession shall be made. We must have the unprecedented determination and quality to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. Communists should have character, integrity and courage so that we’ll never be taken in by fallacies, never tremble in the face of danger, and never be spineless cowards,” he said.
