Xi Jinping says China’s military has to become the ‘great wall of steel’

Chinese president also calls for greater self-reliance when it comes to science and technology

Xi Jinping has promised to build China’s military into a “great wall of steel” in his first speech since he secured an unprecedented third five-year term as president.

Addressing an audience of 3,000 delegates at the National People’s Congress (NPC), he said that “safety is the foundation of development, and stability is the prerequisite for prosperity”.

Mr Xi pledged “build the military into a great wall of steel that effectively safeguards national sovereignty, security and our development interests”.