Contents: Xi Jinping invokes the 1840s Opium Wars to justify military action for China’s ‘rejuvenation’; Xi Jinping stokes China’s nationalism with harsh threats to Taiwan and Hong Kong
The Chinese Communist Party publication People’s Daily debuted an animated rap music video on Thursday celebrating the reforms of the National People’s Congress, warning viewers in cartoon form that “we must fully and strictly implement the party discipline.”
China’s state media downplayed a $175 billion increase in defense spending proposed for 2018 on Tuesday, claiming the spending spike is “not much” and not intended to launch an “arms race” with the United States.
China’s communist leader Xi Jinping looked back fondly upon his last five years of rule and urged the few politicians in China not a part of the Communist Party to “enhance confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics” at an event Sunday.
China revealed on Monday that it will raise its military budget by $175 billion for the 2018 fiscal year, an 8.1 increase that is the largest military spending hike in three years. According to Premier Li Keqiang, the additional funding will “advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, and firmly and resolvedly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
A member of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, has proposed banning individuals from holding their hearts with their hands during the playing of the national anthem, suggesting the gesture is too “American” for Chinese patriots.
