Xi urges China to advance tech self-reliance, Taiwan unification

New Premier Li Qiang bats off concerns about weakening growth

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13, © AP

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

March 13, 2023 11:41 JST

Updated on March 13, 2023 14:55 JST

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the country Monday to accelerate self-reliance capabilities in technology and innovation-driven development, and vowed to "unswervingly advance the process of reunification" with democratically ruled Taiwan.

Xi was addressing the closing ceremony of the National People's Congress (NPC), which gave him an unprecedented third term.