ANNA COREN: A show of strength outside the Great Hall of the People, as soldiers from the People's Liberation Army marched across Tiananmen Square adorned with flags. They are part of the almost 3,000 delegates who arrived in Beijing for the opening of the National People's Congress, China's most important political event of the year.
CHINESE SOLDIER: Thank you, thank you.
COREN: But hanging over this highly scripted and choreographed event, the escalating tensions with the United States and China's defiance.
Excuse me, sir, are you worried about the U.S.-China trade war?
Do you think that President XI and President Trump can make amends?
Inside the hall, all eyes anxiously waited for the main event.
The National People's Congress is very much focused on the economy. But this year, it has been overshadowed by geopolitical events, with the U.S.-China trade war taking center stage.
China's leader was warmly greeted. Only yesterday, XI's government hit back at the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs against agriculture. While the Foreign Ministry spokesman issued a warning, quote: "If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we are ready to fight till the end." As President XI watched on, his deputy delivered his address. While China faces economic challenges, its leadership says it won't back down. This confident posture defined Beijing's cold spring weather and the geopolitical storm clouds that are forming.
DICKERSON: And Anna Coren joins us now from Beijing. Anna, with all of those economic headwinds that China is facing, why are they pushing back so hard?
CORIN: Well, John, China is basically saying that it won't be bullied, and this act of defiance we are seeing from China' is because it’s had six years to prepare for this. Remember the trade war began back in 2018. China has also become a global leader in key industries. It is less reliant on the U.S. So despite its economic challenges, China is saying to the U.S., we are prepared.
