Full control over Hong Kong achieved, determined on Taiwan: Xi Jinping

Beijing, Oct 16: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said Beijing has achieved comprehensive control over Hong Kong, turning it from chaos to governance, and condemned what he said was interference in Taiwan.

China has also waged a major struggle against Taiwan separatism and is determined and able to oppose territorial integrity, Jinping said in a speech on Sunday at the opening of the once-in-five-year Communist Party congress in Beijing.

The ruling party began its week-long key Congress here during which President Xi Jinping is widely expected to get endorsed for a record third five-year term, breaking the over three-decade norm for top leaders to step down after a 10-year tenure.

Except for 69-year-old Xi, all top officials including the number two leader in the Chinese leadership hierarchy Premier Li Keqiang will be replaced in the massive reshuffle to follow during the week.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in which 2,296 "elected" delegates under the norms and guidelines set by Xi will attend a closed-door meeting, is being held amid a rare protest against Xi and his rigid zero-Covid policy of widespread restrictions and lockdowns, resulting in the slowdown of the world's second-largest economy.

The Congress will be held from October 16 to 22, spokesperson for the Congress Sun Yeli told a press conference here on Saturday.

Xi is due to present his work report to the Congress on Sunday.

With agency inputs