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The New York Times: President Xi Jinping of China, during his early rule, frequently assured the United States of peaceful coexistence, but simultaneously communicated a more confrontational stance in internal speeches to Chinese military and Communist Party officials. These speeches, published for internal study and corroborated by The New York Times, reveal Xi’s belief in an inevitable intensification of competition with the United States, driven by Western reluctance to accept a strong, Communist-led China.
Xi’s public assurances of non-militarization contrasted with his internal directives to bolster China’s presence in the South China Sea, reflecting a strategic approach to strengthen China’s maritime claims. His speeches indicate a perception of Western countries, especially the United States, as adversaries seeking to contain China’s rise and undermine the Communist Party.
Xi’s worldview, shaped by his formative years and the global financial crisis of 2007-08, casts doubt on American competence and champions China’s role as a global leader. His rise to power coincided with an era marked by skepticism of the Western model and a shift towards more authoritarian governance, as seen in his admiration of leaders like Vladimir Putin.
Xi’s internal rhetoric underscores the importance of a strong military and ideological unity within the Communist Party to counter perceived external threats, particularly from the West. This stance is rooted in his conviction that power is the ultimate guarantor of security and stability, influenced by events like the Arab Spring and the perceived threat of ‘color revolutions’.
As Xi prepares for talks with President Biden, there is an air of uncertainty over how the two superpowers will manage their rivalry, with deep mutual distrust casting a shadow over any potential easing of tensions. Xi’s firm stance and strategic military focus suggest that the competition between China and the U.S. will continue to shape global dynamics.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/world/asia/china-xi-asia-pacific-summit.html
