China’s Xi promises to build ‘great wall of steel’ in rivalry with West

© Mark R Cristino/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the closing session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Monday. “The Chinese nation’s great revival is on an irreversible path,” Xi said. Throughout the NPC meeting, officials repeatedly emphasized self-reliance as key to achieving China’s goals in every arena. © Florence Lo/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Chinese Premier Li Qiang at his first news conference since assuming the No. It is committed to the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics.”Vic Chiang in Taipei contributed to this report.