CCP elite approve resolution on Party history, clearing the way for Xi's indefinite rule -- China Boss update 11.12.21
Update
All eyes were on the Chinese Communist Party’s 6th Plenum this week as President Xi Jinping delivered a draft resolution set to define China’s policies and propaganda for future generations. As most analysts expected, Xi won approval for his doctrine which “paves the way” for an unprecedented third term in office ahead of next year’s party congress and, potentially, indefinite rule. There are have been more political and economic complications under Xi’s leadership than with any of China’s other leaders since Mao. For the power elite to dig their heels in this way is unusual in recent Chinese political history and - to me - a very bad sign of what’s to come. Here’s the update.
What happened this week.
China’s Elite Hand Xi a Key Victory, Paving the Way for His Indefinite Rule (Bloomberg)
Read for the rundown on this historic and, frankly, unhappy moment where it is now apparent that President Xi will hold relatively unchecked power in China for the forseeable future.
Why it matters.
To Steer China’s Future, Xi Is Rewriting Its Past (Chris Buckley, New York Times)
Read to understand the significance of Xi’s resolution on Communist Party history, which NYT’s Chris Buckley says “is sure to become the focus of an intense indoctrination campaign … will dictate how the authorities teach China’s modern history in textbooks, films, television shows and classrooms …will embolden censors and police officers applying sharpened laws against any who mock, or even question, the communist cause and its “martyrs”… and remind officials and citizens that Mr. Xi is defining their times, and demanding their loyalty.”
What to watch.
Xi’s Expanding Power Is a Growing Risk for China’s Economy (Bloomberg)
Read to understand how Xi's increasing political power is at odds with the country's economic progress. Here, Bloomberg highlights the Xi risk factor in examples where "[o]fficials either take orders too far, as in the case of coal mine and power plant supervisors who worsened a national energy crisis, or they’re so paralyzed by fear they fail to take autonomous decisions — even during major crises such as unprecedented flooding or an emerging pandemic."
Details.
Full text of Chinese Communist Party's 6th plenum communique (Nikkei Asia)
Read the actual communique text translated in English.
Go deeper.
Xi's Mao moment at the Sixth Plenum (Phelim Kine, Politico’s China Watcher)
Read for political commentary on Xi’s “Mao moment” from a wide range of top experts.
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For more insight, God forbid, into what could come next now that Xi has attained his long-sought after party validation, I’m reading Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis’ novel 2034 - available at Amazon.
Have a great weekend.