The key Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress on Sunday began with the presence of the Chinese military commander, Qi Fabao, injured in the Galwan Valley clash with Indian troops in June, 2020. The 20th National Congress was inaugurated by President Xi Jinping who addressed nearly 2,300 delegates and invitees at the opening ceremony.
Qi Fabao was one of the 304 delegates from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People’s Armed Police chosen to attend the all-important meeting of the party.
A video clip from the Galwan clash was screened at the meeting. The video showcased CCP’s feats, a small portion of which had the Galwan Valley footage.
The image showed the PLA Commander Qi Fabao, standing with his arms outstretched facing Indian soldiers, an image that Chinese military propaganda has widely circulated since the Galwan clash. The image of Fabao was widely circulated by the Chinese propaganda media, where he could be seen with his arms outstretched facing Indian soldiers.
Later, at the twice-a-decade meeting of the communist party, Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to further modernize the country’s military in line with goals for the centenary of the PLA in 2027.
Xi expressed the desire to quickly elevate the people’s armed forces to world-class standards for building a modern socialist country. “We will strengthen Party building across the board in the people’s armed forces to ensure that they always obey the Party’s command,” Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
The Party will improve the institutions and mechanisms for implementing the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the chairman of the Central Military Commission, he said.
Xi said China has also waged a major struggle against Taiwan separatism and is determined and able to oppose territorial integrity.
On the self-governed island of Taiwan, he said, “In response to separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence and gross provocations of external interference in Taiwan affairs, we have resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference.”
He said that China has demonstrated their resolve and ability to safeguard “China’s sovereignty and to oppose “Taiwan’s independence.”
