China: The all-powerful Xi Jinping establishes himself as the most influential leader since Mao

First modification: 10/25/2022 – 12:37

Chinese President Xi Jinping unsurprisingly secured a third term in power, promoting some of his closest allies in the Communist Party of China (CPC) along the way, cementing his position as the country’s most influential leader since. the founder Mao Zedong. Xi was also reappointed as head of China’s Central Military Commission.

Mario Esteban, professor at the Center for East Asian Studies at the Autonomous University of Madrid and principal investigator at the Elcano Royal Institute, comments on Xi Jinping’s third term at the RFI microphone:

“We see a continuous line that will translate into greater influence and power of Xi Jinping within the communist party and China in general and also in greater control of the party over the rest of the regime and Chinese society as a whole. It is the first time in the entire reformist period that the main leader manages to monopolize with his protégés, the permanent committee of the politburo, the highest organ of power within the party”, explains the researcher.

For Mario Esteban, the departure of Hu Jintao is another remarkable event of this XX Congress. “I think it has been very surprising because in these events everything is perfectly choreographed, such a clear break with that protocol is very shocking, especially when we talk about a former general secretary of the party. There is a lot of speculation about whether it is a purge or a problem of health, the issue cannot be settled. What we do see clearly is that the influence of veteran leaders with Xi Jinping has been reduced practically to nothing and in his functions he will not be influenced by the considerations of previous leaders such as Hu Jintao ” , analyze.

Since his rise to power a decade ago, Xi has amassed power like no other Chinese ruler except Mao. In 2018 he eliminated the limit of two presidential terms, which opened the way for him to govern indefinitely.

He also spearheaded China’s rise to the world’s second-largest economy, fueled a massive military buildup and an aggressive international stance that drew strong opposition from the United States. “After more than 40 years of tireless reform and opening-up efforts, we have created two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability,” Xi said. “China cannot develop without the world, and the world also needs China,” he insisted.

In this next five-year period, Xi faces great challenges, including managing the indebted economy and the growing rivalry with the United States.

with AFP