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Xi Jinping Warns Against Dictating to China, Vows Beijing Will Avoid Hegemony

© AP Photo / Mark SchiefelbeinChinese President Xi Jinping prepares to present a medallion during a conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up policy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018
Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to present a medallion during a conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up policy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 - Sputnik International
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The warning comes amid an ongoing Beijing-Washington trade row, which was triggered when President Donald Trump announced in June that $50 billion worth of Chinese goods would be subject to 25 percent tariffs in a bid to fix the US-Chinese trade deficit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned other nations against dictating to Beijing, also pledging that China will never pursue hegemony. 

"No one is in a position to dictate to the Chinese people what should or should not be done. We will resolutely reform what can and needs to be reformed, and we will resolutely uphold what cannot and does not need to be changed", Xi underscored in a speech marking the 40th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up Policy.

READ MORE: China-US Trade Wars Have Little Impact on Beijing Economy — Statistics Bureau

Claiming that China is "increasingly approaching the centre of the world stage", Xi also noted that Beijing pursues a defensive national policy.

"China's development does not pose a threat to any country. No matter how far China develops, it will never seek hegemony", he pointed out.

Xi also touted the governing Communist Party's current strategy as "absolutely correct", and focused on the government’s achievements, recalling, in particular, that foodstuff coupons and other documents "people once could not be without have now been consigned to the museum of history".

"The torments of hunger, lack of food and clothing, and the hardships which have plagued our people for thousands of years have generally gone and won't come back", he emphasized.

READ MORE: Yuan Drop is More of Internal Correction as China Adjusts Its Economy – Prof

Delegates listen to opening remarks by China's State Councilor Yang and US Deputy Secretary of State Burns at a session of the S&ED in Washington - Sputnik International
'No Side Wins in Trade War' – Economic Researchers on US-China Trade Relations
The Chinese president's remarks came a few weeks after his address to Spanish lawmakers, in which he specifically touted Beijing's efforts to build a new modern economic system and stressed that China is interested in "further opening its doors to the world" and easing access to the market for investments. 

The statement came as Beijing remains embroiled in a trade spat with Washington which escalated after US President Donald Trump slapped 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods in an attempt to tackle the US-Chinese trade deficit. Since then, the two countries have exchanged several rounds of trade duties against each other.

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