His words have to be studied by everyone. And the leader’s persona is being fused with the nation
Next week: ‘What is the Meaning of Xi’s Frequent References to History?’
In 1989 Deng Xiaoping created a new political model to ensure that a power vacuum could never paralyse China again. The General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was made the ‘core’ (flag bearer) around whom the party rallied, but his status would be of first-among-equals so that one man might never dominate.
Deng’s successors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, were faithful to his vision. Xi initially appeared to follow in their footsteps, but after securing the coveted title of ‘core’ in October 2016, he has unfurled his political agenda.
In 1989 Deng Xiaoping created a new political model to ensure that a power vacuum could never paralyse China again. The General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was made the ‘core’ (flag bearer) around whom the party rallied, but his status would be of first-among-equals so that one man might never dominate.
Deng’s successors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, were faithful to his vision. Xi initially appeared to follow in their footsteps, but after securing the coveted title of ‘core’ in October 2016, he has unfurled his political agenda.