Xi Jinping calls on Chinese military to break new ground for war preparedness

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported the information.

During his inspection trip to the Eastern Theater Command, Xi Jinping told the military that the world has entered a new period of upheaval and change, and China's security situation has become more unstable and uncertain. 

He urged the military to be vigilant against potential dangers and to make every effort to fulfill the combat duty assigned by the command in the theater.

Xi also called for enhancing war and combat planning, strengthening the command system for joint operations, and intensifying live-fire training to enhance the military's ability to fight and win.

Xi Jinping emphasized that military issues should be addressed and resolved politically. However, he added that the armed forces must have the courage and ability to fight, as well as resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and development interests.

The Eastern Theater Command, headquartered in Jiangsu Province, is responsible for the security of eastern China, including the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Earlier this year, Xi Jinping, in his comments after winning his third presidential term, called on China to strengthen its ability to defend national security and turn its army into a "Great Wall of Steel."

Xi Jinping's call to increase military readiness came as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Beijing. She arrived for talks aimed at easing tensions between the US and China.

Blinken's historic meeting with Xi Jinping and the further deterioration of relations with the US

On June 6, media reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has planned to visit China in the coming weeks to meet with high-ranking officials and, in particular, with Xi Jinping.

Blinken intended to hold meetings in Beijing in early February. However, the administration of US President Joe Biden decided to postpone the Secretary of State's trip to Beijing after a Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted in its airspace.

On June 18, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived on an official visit to Beijing. He became the first high-ranking American diplomat to visit China since 2018. He held talks with Chinese leaders on the situation in Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks in Beijing on June 18. They discussed relations between the two countries and the war in Ukraine.

On June 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss cooperation and the promotion of global peace.

On June 20, US President Joe Biden said that, in his opinion, relations between the US and China are on the "right track," and that Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing has led to progress. The very next day, speaking about Xi Jinping's reaction to the US shooting down a Chinese spy balloon, Biden called the Chinese leader a dictator. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Biden's words "extremely absurd" and "irresponsible."