Monday, 14 Jul 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > China’s Xi on course for historic third term at zero-Covid Congress
World

China’s Xi on course for historic third term at zero-Covid Congress

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
China’s Xi on course for historic third term at zero-Covid Congress
SHARE

China’s 20th Communist Party Congress, which begins on Sunday, is expected to deliver President Xi Jinping a historic third term in control of a country his zero-Covid policy has closed off from much of the rest of the world.

Contents
– Covid curbs –– Political guesswork –

Should everything go to plan, by the end of the twice-in-a-decade meeting, the 69-year-old will be reconfirmed as the party’s general secretary, cementing his position as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Security has been stepped up around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, where on Sunday almost 2,300 delegates from every province in China will gather at the imposing Great Hall of the People.

And as Xi continues to insist the country sticks to its policy of containing and eliminating the coronavirus within its borders, the Congress will take place under strict health protocols.

In a highly choreographed, mostly closed-door conclave, the participants will pick members of the party’s around 200-member Central Committee, which in turn selects the 25-person Politburo and its all-powerful Standing Committee — the country’s highest leadership body.

But in reality, “everything has been played out in advance, because the congress does not take place until the factions have agreed”, sinologist Jean-Philippe Beja told AFP.

Critics say Xi has also eliminated any potential political rivals in recent years, especially through his long-running campaign against corruption.

The speech Xi makes on the first day will give an assessment of the previous term but also a roadmap for the next five years, for both party and country.

At the 2017 Congress, Xi promised a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics and promised Beijing would engage with the world.

“Openness brings progress, while self-seclusion leaves one behind,” he said. “China will not close its door to the world; we will only become more and more open.”

– Covid curbs –

But five years later, China has done the opposite.

As the rest of the world has gradually returned to pre-pandemic norms, Beijing has stuck to a hardline zero-Covid policy characterised by travel restrictions, obligatory quarantines, and repeated lockdowns.

As well as causing widespread hardship for Chinese citizens, the strategy has also spooked the business community.

Economic growth has stalled at a time when other long-running problems, such as the real estate downturn, are coming to a head.

“Beijing’s zero-Covid policy has discouraged much-needed investment and failed to win the hearts and minds of young Chinese, who have suffered the most economically and socially,” said Yu Jie at the Asia-Pacific programme at think tank Chatham House.

“Many Chinese worry about seeing a return to a period of isolation” not seen in China since before the country’s opening up in the late 1970s, sinologist Beja told AFP.

China’s relations with the United States have also soured further over the last five years, and Xi’s more assertive foreign policy has sparked disputes everywhere from India to Australia and Canada.

Western countries have pushed back against the increasingly aggressive rhetoric deployed against the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing sees as its territory to be taken by force if necessary.

They have also accused China of widespread human rights abuses, particularly in the western region of Xinjiang.

“President Xi’s precedent-breaking third term bodes ill for human rights in China and around the world,” said Yaqiu Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch.

– Political guesswork –

With 96.7 million members, China’s Communist Party is one of the world’s largest political organisations, but its inner workings remain largely opaque.

Observers can only guess at the future composition of the Standing Committee.

Since the 1990s, Politburo members have generally retired after two terms — but a third term for Xi would break that precedent, meaning even less than usual can be divined about the next crop of leaders.

The choice of people who will surround Xi will be crucial, said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute.

“I think Xi will be careful in sending a clear message that no one elevated to the Politburo Standing Committee will be a successor at the 21st Congress,” he said.

The Politburo lineup will be revealed the day after the meeting ends.

If, as expected, Xi Jinping stays on as general secretary, he will then be confirmed as president for another term at the annual meeting of China’s National People’s Congress next March.

Though the 20th Party Congress will only guarantee one more five-year term, many think he will stay in power for much longer.

“The uncertainty is absolute,” said political scientist Jean-Pierre Cabestan.

“But given the promotion of Xi Jinping Thought, the restoration of the personality cult, the importance of his power at the heart of the party’s leadership, this suggests someone who will stay in power for a long time, maybe for life.”

ka-reb/je/oho/qan

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Los Angeles councilmen resist resignation in racism scandal Los Angeles councilmen resist resignation in racism scandal
Next Article Ukraines Ambassador trolls Russia for losing UN support Ukraines Ambassador trolls Russia for losing UN support

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Roxane Gay: Will Smith Was Wrong, but Being Thin-Skinned Is Not

Ms. Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a condition resulting in hair loss that disproportionately affects Black…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

LeVar Burton implores kids to read banned books: ‘That’s where the good stuff is’

On The Daily Show Tuesday night, host Trevor Noah discussed the book ban efforts that…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Find out how to watch Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur on-line without cost

TL;DR: Dwell stream Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur within the Premier League without cost with a…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Russell Wilson Proposes to Ciara Again, Asks Her for More Babies: ‘Just Give Me One More’

Are Ciara and Russell Wilson seeing more children in their futures?The Grammy-winning artist, 36, guest…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon convicted over daughter’s dying
World

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon convicted over daughter’s dying

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Southend airplane crash: casualties but to be confirmed as investigation begins
World

Southend airplane crash: casualties but to be confirmed as investigation begins

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump says he spoke to Dan Bongino after studies deputy FBI director may go away submit over Epstein recordsdata fallout – US politics reside
World

Trump says he spoke to Dan Bongino after studies deputy FBI director may go away submit over Epstein recordsdata fallout – US politics reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
EU scrambles to reply to US tariff menace as Trump guarantees ‘major statement’ on Russia – Europe stay
World

EU scrambles to reply to US tariff menace as Trump guarantees ‘major statement’ on Russia – Europe stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?