[Global Focus] Xi Jinping's Reappointment is the Silk Road

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] With the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party approaching on July 1st next month, China is literally experiencing a 'red' wave. Everywhere in China, red banners with the slogans "Struggling People, Advancing China" are displayed.

Since last year, China has been meticulously and precisely preparing for the 100th anniversary celebrations to boost the people's pride in China and the Communist Party. First, there was the victory in the battle against COVID-19. In September last year, China held an awards ceremony related to its COVID-19 response, awarding over 2,300 medals and commendations to individuals and groups. The ceremony was effectively a declaration of the end of COVID-19. Although it was criticized at the time as a premature celebration, the Chinese leadership pushed forward, and it is now regarded as a successful effort.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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China also led economic growth. While the world struggled with COVID-19, China posted an incredible positive growth rate (2.3% increase). The Chinese economy grew to the extent that the leadership did not even need to officially declare the establishment of a "Xiaokang society" (a moderately prosperous society where all people live well).

In addition, China showcased space science and technology comparable to that of the United States, boosting the pride of its 1.4 billion people. The Mars probe "Tianwen-1" landed on Mars and is sending daily photos from the Martian surface. China has also begun developing its own space station, with the successful launch and docking of Shenzhou 12 and continuous promotion of astronauts' daily lives.

Earlier, in November last year, the Chinese Communist Party presented a blueprint for China's development through the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee. It confidently stated that by 2035, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) would double compared to 2019.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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All events, including the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, ultimately lead to the "20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party" scheduled for October next year. This will be the occasion where President Xi Jinping's reappointment is confirmed. According to the Chinese constitution, Xi's reappointment is legally unproblematic. What is needed is the enthusiastic support of the Party and the people. For this reason, some even say that President Xi is the protagonist of all these events.

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Within the Party, President Xi has effectively taken full control of the organization. Elected General Secretary at the 18th Party Congress in 2012, Xi consolidated his power. Especially in the early years of his administration, he showed particular favor to vice-ministerial level officials. Notable figures within the Party include Li Zhanshu, Director of the General Office of the Central Committee; Huang Kunming, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department; Chen Xi, Deputy Head of the Central Organization Department; Chen Yixin, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms; and He Yiting, Vice President of the Central Party School. In the economic sector, Liu He, Director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, and Su Guozheng, Deputy Director, as well as He Lifeng, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission under the State Council, have been appointed. In public security and military sectors, appointments include Cai Qi, member of the National Security Commission; Fu Zhenghua, Deputy Minister of State Security; Wang Xiaofeng, Director of Beijing Public Security Bureau; and Zhong Xiaojun, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission. Analysts interpret these moves as groundwork for long-term rule.

President Xi also prioritizes his personal network over factions (such as the Princelings, Shanghai clique, and Communist Youth League faction), appointing these individuals to key positions. Vice President Wang Qishan and others are connected by regional ties (Shanxi Province). Liu He and Chen Xi are representative figures connected by academic ties (Tsinghua University). Li Zhanshu, He Lifeng, Cai Qi, Huang Kunming, Chen Min'er, and Ding Xuexiang are distinguished by workplace connections. This is why Xi's power is considered much more solid than it appears externally.

A professor at a Chinese university told the reporter, "There is absolutely no problem with President Xi's additional five-year term," conveying the atmosphere within China that many Chinese people desire Xi's reappointment.

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