President Xi Jinping stated that China must modernize its military in order to create a “Great Wall of Steel”.

In his third, record-breaking term as head of the state, Mr Xi called on China to increase its ability to manage national security and protect public safety.

At the conclusion of the annual parliament session, he stated that “Security and stability are the foundations for development”

The Communist Party, the ruling party, is expected to increase its oversight of security matters.

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This is after Mr Xi replaced high-ranking security officers with trusted associates.

China must resist pro-independence activities and secessionist activities on Taiwan’s self-ruled island, which China claims to be its own. He stated that China must also resist interference from external forces.

After the US had blocked China from accessing cutting-edge technology, he said that China should be more self-reliant and stronger in science and technology.

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This comes just as the UK has pledged to spend an additional PS5bn on its army in an updated strategy to combat intensifying threats from Russia and China.

The revised defense, security, and foreign policy review will refer to the Chinese Communist Party in an “epochdefining challenge” in a toughening language but not as a state threat.

The decisive victory over COVID-19, premier claims

Later, China’s Premier Li Qiang announced at a news conference that the country had won decisive victories over COVID-19.

Mr Li stated that Beijing’s strategies against the virus were completely correct.

He said that China had taken less than two months for a smooth transition in its response to COVID.