Socialism with Chinese Characteristics From Deng Xiaoping in the 1980's to Xi Jinping Today

[Randy W]

What is ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’?

 From Deng Xiaoping in the 1980's to Xi Jinping today, China's leaders
 have long said the country practises a unique type of socialism -
 "socialism with Chinese characteristics."

from the SCMP on Facebook 
https://fb.watch/6n5u2WJqZk/

Edited June 27, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

I would think China might be ready for a change next year, but . . .

As the Communist Party turns 100, Xi Jinping has a problem: who will take over?

• With no clear successor in sight, Chinese leader is expected to stay in power beyond two terms
• Next year’s leadership reshuffle will shed light on how he plans to tackle succession

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When Xi took power in 2012, there were concerns that the civilian leadership could lose control of the military. The country was expanding economically at record speed, but the party was beset by graft, power struggles and the threat of fragmentation.

Few could have anticipated what followed. Through an unprecedented war on corruption, Xi rebuilt the party’s image, reconnected the masses with its roots, brought powerful cliques to heel and got the military under its thumb.

The coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in late 2019 briefly threatened to disrupt those gains, but the party machine swiftly kicked into action. By the end of 2020 China had not only contained the virus but was the only major economy to record positive growth, while the rest of the world was still mired in crisis.

At the start of this year, after Washington was rocked by rioting in a messy power transition, Beijing announced it had achieved something many would have considered impossible half a century ago – eliminating extreme poverty in the country of 1.4 billion.

Xi set the tone in a speech to top cadres in January. “The world is in a turbulent time that is unprecedented in the past century,” he said. “But time and momentum are on our side. This is where we show our conviction and resilience, as well as our determination and confidence.”

But beneath the confident talk, there is a looming challenge for the party: the issue of succession.

Power transitions have been a headache even for the party’s most capable leaders in the past century. Mao Zedong, who took the helm after some fierce battles, made several unsuccessful attempts to find a successor. His final choice, Hua Guofeng, was quickly elbowed out the way by Deng Xiaoping. Later, Deng would have the same problem – he had to personally depose two leaders he had chosen before Jiang Zemin took over in what was largely a compromise reached between the party factions.

 

 

[Randy W]

How China’s leader Xi Jinping is resetting his agenda with a greater focus on ‘bread and butter’ policies

• Away from his core initiatives, Xi has been turning attention to pet projects such as a plan to move major institutions from Beijing to a purpose-built site 100km away
• With post-Covid recovery a major priority, some policies that may have a negative economic impact appear to have been placed on the back-burner

from the SCMP

Quote

 

Since Xi started an unprecedented third term as state president in March – completing a leadership shake-up that put key supporters in leading positions – analysts say that some of the policies he has focused on suggest that social development will take greater prominence.

This does not mean his core concerns, such as technology, self sufficiency and national security, have been downgraded, but other long-term goals – such as a drive for greater economic equality, anti-monopoly policies and reducing carbon emissions – appear to have been put on the back-burner as the post-Covid economic recovery takes centre stage.

Instead, there is a renewed emphasis on completing projects such as the Xiongan New Area project, which aims to relocate key institutions such as universities and state-owned enterprises from Beijing to a site about 100km (60 miles) from the capital; a controversial waste sorting scheme; and his “toilet revolution”, a project to build more public lavatories in rural areas.

 

 

[Randy W]

Xi Jinping Thought is becoming inescapable for bankers across China — even employees at global firms including BlackRock have been called in to attend lectures

from Bloomberg on Twiiter/X
https://twitter.com/business/status/1690286022775508992?t=B3fh99OdWtKH9unJNVZ7yw&s=19

Bankers Forced to Study Xi’s Thoughts as Party Tightens Grip

• Firms holding studying sessions, writing papers on Xi Thought
• Concerns grow over Chinese economy as confidence takes a hit

paywalled, but there's this from China Uncovered

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)