Chinese President Xi Jinping urged his military Thursday to prepare for conflicts in the East and South China Seas, as Beijing continues to assert its political and economic might over other nations during a recent parliament meeting.
In a report by Kyodo News, Xi also called on the military to enhance its strategic capabilities in emerging areas such as cyberspace and outer space. China is deep into developing its own aerospace and cyberspace defense systems.
The Chinese leader, who also chairs the Central Military Commission, gave the instructions during this year’s National People’s Congress, or China’s parliament, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
China is also building its fourth aircraft carrier, according to a senior Chinese navy officer as reported by Hong Kong media. It remains unclear whether the vessel will be nuclear-powered.
China has overlapping territorial claims with other countries in the East and South China seas. Earlier this week, maritime hostilities between the coast guards of China and the Philippines flared, prompting several governments to issue statements condemning China for its actions.
