Publish: 12:15, 13 Mar, 2023

China’s Xi wants bigger global role after facilitating Saudi-Iran deal

Online Desk
China’s Xi wants bigger global role after facilitating Saudi-Iran deal
সংগৃহীত ছবি

President Xi Jinping called for China to play a bigger role in managing global affairs after Beijing scored a diplomatic coup by hosting talks that produced an agreement by Saudi Arabia and Iran to reopen diplomatic relations, reports UNB.

Xi spoke on Monday following a legislative session that installed a government of loyalists to tighten his control over the economy and society.

China should “actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system” and promote “global security initiatives,” said Xi, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, in a speech at end of the annual meeting of China’s ceremonial legislature.

That will add “positive energy to world peace and development and create a favorable international environment for our country’s development,” Xi said.

Xi gave no details of the ruling Communist Party's ambitions, but his government has pursued increasingly assertive policies abroad since he took power in 2012. It has pressed for changes in the International Monetary Fund and other entities Beijing says fail to reflect the needs and desires of developing countries.

Beijing also has built on China’s growing heft as the second-largest economy to promote trade and construction initiatives that Washington, Tokyo, Moscow and New Delhi worry will expand its strategic influence at their expanse.

Xi's government rattled the United States and Australia in early 2022 when it signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands that would allow Chinese navy ships and security forces to be stationed in the South Pacific island nation.

The foreign minister, Qin Gang, warned Washington last week of possible "conflict and confrontation” if the United States doesn't change course in relations that have been strained by conflicts over Taiwan, human rights, Hong Kong, security and technology.

Xi's speech Monday called for faster technology development and more self-reliance in a speech loaded with nationalistic terms. He referred eight times to “national rejuvenation,” or restoring China to its rightful historic role as an economic, cultural and political leader.

On Friday, Xi was named to another term in the ceremonial Chinese presidency after breaking with tradition in October and awarding himself a third-five year term as general secretary of the ruling party, putting himself on track to become leader for life. The National People's Congress session cemented Xi’s dominance by endorsing the appointment of his loyalists as premier and other government leaders in a once-a-decade change. Xi has sidelined potential rivals and loaded the top ranks of the ruling party with his supporters.

Xi said that before the ruling Communist Party took power in 1949, China was “reduced to semi-colonial, semi-feudal country, subject to bullying by foreign countries.”

“We have finally washed away the national humiliation, and Chinese people are the master of their own destiny,” Xi said. “The Chinese nation has stood up, become rich and is becoming strong.”

Xi also called for the country to “unswervingly achieve” the goal of “national reunification,” a reference to Beijing’s claim that Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy, is part of its territory and is obliged to unite with China, by force if necessary.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan

More News
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
Severe storms claim 16 lives, including children in US
Severe storms claim 16 lives, including children in US
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
Iran top diplomat rejects direct negotiations with US
Iran top diplomat rejects direct negotiations with US
Rain complicates recovery in quake-hit Myanmar as death toll rises
Rain complicates recovery in quake-hit Myanmar as death toll rises
Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan
Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
Protesters from New York to Alaska assail Trump in ‘Hands Off!’ rallies
Protesters from New York to Alaska assail Trump in ‘Hands Off!’ rallies
Netanyahu to talk tariffs with Trump in Washington
Netanyahu to talk tariffs with Trump in Washington
Latest News
Jaya Ahsan condemns killings in Gaza, urges global conscience to awaken
Jaya Ahsan condemns killings in Gaza, urges global conscience to awaken
3 hours ago | Entertainment
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
3 hours ago | National
Fulham stun Liverpool 3-2, snapping 26-game unbeaten league streak
Fulham stun Liverpool 3-2, snapping 26-game unbeaten league streak
4 hours ago | Sports
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
4 hours ago | National
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
4 hours ago | National
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
5 hours ago | International
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
5 hours ago | International
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
5 hours ago | National
German delegation in city; sees economic potential
German delegation in city; sees economic potential
6 hours ago | Business
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
6 hours ago | National
Emon makes record for fastest half-century as Bangladeshi batters
Emon makes record for fastest half-century as Bangladeshi batters
6 hours ago | Sports
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
7 hours ago | National
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
7 hours ago | National
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
7 hours ago | International
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
7 hours ago | National
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
7 hours ago | National
Record $3.29bn remittance inflow in March
Record $3.29bn remittance inflow in March
7 hours ago | Business
Govt to provide bicycles to 16,000 schoolgirls, training to 2 lakh women
Govt to provide bicycles to 16,000 schoolgirls, training to 2 lakh women
7 hours ago | National
Small firms, AI lead Europe’s 2024 patent activity, EPO reports
Small firms, AI lead Europe’s 2024 patent activity, EPO reports
7 hours ago | Tech
Shakib under investigation by ACC over corruption allegations
Shakib under investigation by ACC over corruption allegations
8 hours ago | Sports
CA calls for concerted efforts to improve maternal, child health
CA calls for concerted efforts to improve maternal, child health
8 hours ago | National
Sports hub to be set in 8 divisions with UAE support
Sports hub to be set in 8 divisions with UAE support
8 hours ago | Sports
Severe storms claim 16 lives, including children in US
Severe storms claim 16 lives, including children in US
8 hours ago | International
LPG price reduced by Tk 28 per 12-kg cylinder
LPG price reduced by Tk 28 per 12-kg cylinder
8 hours ago | Business
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
9 hours ago | National
‘We're hopeful of starting 2nd Tribunal soon’
‘We're hopeful of starting 2nd Tribunal soon’
9 hours ago | National
IMF satisfied with Bangladesh’s improvement: Finance Adviser
IMF satisfied with Bangladesh’s improvement: Finance Adviser
9 hours ago | National
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
9 hours ago | Business
Evaly MD Rassell, chairman Shamima sentenced for 3 yrs imprisonment
Evaly MD Rassell, chairman Shamima sentenced for 3 yrs imprisonment
10 hours ago | National
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
10 hours ago | Business
Most Read
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
5 hours ago | National
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
6 hours ago | National
IMF team in Dhaka to start talks today on $4.7bn loan
IMF team in Dhaka to start talks today on $4.7bn loan
17 hours ago | Business
‘Tomader Golpo’ wins hearts on Youtube
‘Tomader Golpo’ wins hearts on Youtube
16 hours ago | Entertainment
Mirza Fakhrul departs for Singapore
Mirza Fakhrul departs for Singapore
14 hours ago | National
Complexity in 55 constituencies
Complexity in 55 constituencies
14 hours ago | Special
Bangladesh-US trade surpassed $10bn in 2024
Bangladesh-US trade surpassed $10bn in 2024
14 hours ago | Special
Bank transactions to run from 10 am to 4 pm from today
Bank transactions to run from 10 am to 4 pm from today
15 hours ago | Business
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
10 hours ago | International
Meta launches new AI model Llama 4
Meta launches new AI model Llama 4
14 hours ago | Tech
Rizwana calls for positive mindset in environmental actions
Rizwana calls for positive mindset in environmental actions
11 hours ago | National
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
7 hours ago | National
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
10 hours ago | Business
Laapataa Ladies writer denies plagiarism claims
Laapataa Ladies writer denies plagiarism claims
13 hours ago | Entertainment
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
7 hours ago | National
Rain likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Rain likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
11 hours ago | National
US tariffs will have minimal impact on country’s exports
US tariffs will have minimal impact on country’s exports
11 hours ago | Business
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
9 hours ago | Business
Army chief leaves for Russia, Croatia to discuss bolstering defence ties
Army chief leaves for Russia, Croatia to discuss bolstering defence ties
16 hours ago | National
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
9 hours ago | National
‘Govt to address US tariff issue through bilateral talks’
‘Govt to address US tariff issue through bilateral talks’
17 hours ago | National
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
13 hours ago | International
Remembering Suchitra Sen on 95th birth anniv
Remembering Suchitra Sen on 95th birth anniv
16 hours ago | Entertainment
Country witnesses no major crime during Eid holidays
Country witnesses no major crime during Eid holidays
12 hours ago | National
Tarique Rahman mourns death of Koko’s mother-in-law
Tarique Rahman mourns death of Koko’s mother-in-law
14 hours ago | National
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
13 hours ago | International
Salahuddin presses interim govt for immediate election roadmap
Salahuddin presses interim govt for immediate election roadmap
17 hours ago | National
RFL Group begins exporting grass mats
RFL Group begins exporting grass mats
17 hours ago | Corporate Corner
Impact of Trump's tariff not difficult to manage: Finance Adviser
Impact of Trump's tariff not difficult to manage: Finance Adviser
13 hours ago | Business
Record Tk 4.11cr toll collected at Padma Bridge in 24 hrs
Record Tk 4.11cr toll collected at Padma Bridge in 24 hrs
10 hours ago | National