'Great wall of steel': Xi Jinping to protect China economy, security

He pledged that he would 'faithfully perform the duties entrusted by the Constitution' and would 'never let down the great trust' of all Chinese people

China President Xi Jinping on Monday vowed to build China’s military into a ‘Great Wall of steel’ to protect the its sovereignty and developmental interests as he sought a bigger role for Beijing in global affairs, days after brokering a Saudi Arabia-Iran detente, regarded as a diplomatic coup.

Speaking for the first time since the rubber-stamp Parliament last week approved his precedent-breaking third term as head of state, Xi called on the nation to uphold the leadership of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) headed by him.

“This is my third time assuming the lofty office of president,” Xi, 69, said