BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping (pic) urged officials to stay composed amid domestic and global challenges, signaling Beijing will take a measured approach to the Trump administration’s new trade and investment restrictions.
Xi made the remarks to top officials including Politburo and State Council party members after reviewing their work over the past year, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday (Feb 26).
His comments coincide with President Donald Trump taking his most sweeping actions yet against China in his second term, raising the risk that ties may soon worsen.
China "must enhance its political capabilities and calmly respond to challenges brought about by changes in the domestic and international situation,” Xi said.
The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on China in recent days with a series of moves on trade and investment.
These include restricting Chinese spending in US strategic sectors like tech and energy, urging Mexico to impose its own tariffs on Chinese imports, and pushing for fees on commercial ships made in China to counter its dominance in shipbuilding.
In his latest remarks, Xi also called on top officials to maintain social stability, promote the sustained recovery of the economy and steadily improve people’s living standards.
China is trying to shake off a prolonged economic slowdown, with its strong exports facing growing pressure from trade tensions abroad.
This month, the Chinese leader met with top tech entrepreneurs in a bid to restore confidence in the private sector.
Economists expect the upcoming national parliament meeting to introduce new measures to drive consumption. - Bloomberg
