Xi Touts Communist Party’s Global Reach, Hails PLA’s Rising Strength In 105th Anniversary Address

Chinese President Xi Jinping used a major speech marking the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party on Wednesday to both tout China’s global influence and pledge a stronger armed forces build-up while staying steadfast in an ongoing crackdown on corruption within top military ranks. Bloomberg concluded of the speech, “Xi Jinping signaled China’s ambition to play a more high-profile role, a strategy that involves rallying developing nations as a counterweight to what he views as fading US influence.” This is of course not a ‘new’ message out of Beijing, but is some renewed messaging at a moment Washington risks…