The Facts
On Sunday, Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping opened the twice-a-decade National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing. Over 2K delegates expect to approve him for a third five-year term as chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the end of the weeklong congress.
During his opening speech, Xi emphasized ensuring China's national security and called for strengthening and modernizing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) as part of the nation's "rejuvenation" and to protect Chinese interests.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Given Washington's aggressive rhetoric and actions, it's understandable for Beijing to strive to rejuvenate and bring its military up to world-class standards by 2027. Contrary to Western claims, China is not seeking to dominate through military might but to protect its legitimate national interests. Unlike the US, it's not part of China's political culture to interfere militarily in the internal affairs of other states.
Anti-China narrative
China under Xi Jinping increasingly resembles a dictatorship. Not only is he responsible for China's genocide against the Uyghurs but, under his rule, Beijing is increasingly abandoning the path of a rules-based order. That he is now seeking a third term and is threatening democratic Taiwan must be a final wake-up call for Washington. Freedom-loving nations must now team up to contain PRC aggression.
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