Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed today, Sunday, Beijing's rejection of the "Cold War mentality" in international diplomacy, and condemned the interference of external powers in Taiwan, during a speech on the occasion of the opening of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He said: "China firmly opposes all forms of hegemony and power-based policies and opposes the Cold War mentality and interference in the internal affairs of other countries, as well as opposing double standards," without mentioning relations with Washington, according to AFP.

He emphasized that Beijing "will never seek hegemony nor engage in expansionist (activities)," while confirming that his country "will never commit to renouncing the use of force" in Taiwan.

In his speech, Xi Jinping pledged to wage a "great struggle against separatism and interference" on the self-governing island of Taiwan.

He added: "We have shown our strong determination and ability to protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity and to oppose Taiwan independence."

At the same time, he pointed out that "the situation in Hong Kong has made a major transformation from chaos to governance."

Xi, aged 69, said the party, which has 96 million members, "has won the largest battle against poverty in human history," according to Reuters.

Xi Jinping said to the party delegates, "The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is very important and is held at a sensitive moment, as the entire party and the people from all ethnic groups begin a new journey to comprehensively build a modern socialist country," according to AFP.

The 20th Congress of the ruling Communist Party is expected to last a week, and it is widely expected that he will also win a third term and strengthen his position as the most powerful ruler of the country since Mao Zedong.

The gathering, which includes about 2,300 delegates from across the country, began at the Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square amid tight security measures.

Since taking power 10 years ago, Jinping has placed China on a path that prioritizes security, state control over the economy in the name of "common prosperity," a firmer diplomacy, and a stronger military.