Xi Hails 'New World' as China Marks Communist Party Centenary

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday hailed a "new world" created by the country's people as China's Communist Party marked the centenary of its founding and warned that foreign forces attempting to bully the nation will "get their heads bashed."

In an hour-long televised address from Tiananmen Square after watching fighter jets form a "100" in a flyby, Xi pledged to build up China's military, committed to the "reunification" of Taiwan and stressed the autonomy held by Hong Kong and Macau. "The people of China are not only good at destroying the old world, they have also created a new world," said Xi, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. "Only socialism can save China." Xi and the party are riding high as China recovers briskly from the COVID-19 outbreak and takes a more assertive stand on the global stage.