Chinese President Xi Jinping is convinced that for his country to achieve the Chinese Dream and assume its rightful place on the global stage, the central role of the Chinese Communist Party and the importance of leadership from the top must be strengthened.
That flies in the face of those who believe Chinas future lies in greater openness and reform. David Shambaugh examines how Xis approach to leadership is moving China both forward and backward.
XI Jinping Is widely viewed as the strongest leader China has had since Deng Xiaoping or Chairman Mao Zedong. With greater gravitas than his immediate predecessors Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, Xi has put his stamp on the nation to a degree not seen since the days of Deng or Mao.
But just how impactful has Xi actually been? What does the balance sheet on his rule look like six years into a tenure that may be indefinite following his decision to remove term limits in march this year? What exactly has he accomplished? Where has he fallen short on promises or expectations? and, looking forward, where might China be headed under his rule?
THE VISION THING
Great leaders usually have grand visions. Xi has actually voiced his views on a wide variety of issues. In his 1,134-page, two-volume tome, The Governance of China, Xi has something to say on seemingly every subject. yet, his core vision for China, which resonates deeply with the Chinese people, is actually not at all new. like all Chinese leaders dating back to the Qing self-strengthening movement of the 1870s, Xi’s prime objective is to achieve what he describes as “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” He has rebranded this longstanding national mission as the “Chinese Dream,” but the quest is no different: for China to acquire the material attributes of a major international power and the commensurate respect from others. the legacy of the country’s former weakness and humiliation thus continues to deeply haunt Xi and his generation.
So too does the collapse of Communist Party rule in the former Soviet Union. now having ruled almost as long as their Soviet counterparts, Xi and his peers in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) live in regular trepidation of a similar meltdown.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2018-Ausgabe von Global Asia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2018-Ausgabe von Global Asia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
‘Chinese Dream,' Global Ambition - Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative
Much focus on Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative has understandably been on the massive scale of its infrastructure projects and the implications for the economies of the countries involved. But more is at stake than just building railways, ports and pipelines.As proponents of Chinas expanding global ambitions, Christopher H. Lim and Vincent Mack Zhi Wei argue that the BRI is a central component of Beijings agenda to cement its leadership in the world.
Can China's President Live Up To His Own Top Billing?
Chinese President Xi Jinping is convinced that for his country to achieve the Chinese Dream and assume its rightful place on the global stage, the central role of the Chinese Communist Party and the importance of leadership from the top must be strengthened.That flies in the face of those who believe Chinas future lies in greater openness and reform. David Shambaugh examines how Xis approach to leadership is moving China both forward and backward.
India's Strong Man: Narendra Modi Remains An Authoritarian At Heart
India has long prided itself on being the worlds largest democracy, and one built on a population of remarkable religious, ethnic, cultural and racial diversity. More recently, the country has touted its growing economy as a sign that India is poised to take its place as a major emerging power. But with the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, the specter of Hindu nationalism has emerged as a potent force that could threaten the countrys democracy. Pratap Bhanu Mehta looks at the evolving effects of Modis leadership.
Abe's More Assertive Japan: Will He Defy Expectations Again?
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan has proven, despite the setback of his first, undistinguished stint as premier, to be a remarkably resilient politician. In power since 2012, his economic policies have been only moderately successful and his aggressive security policies have raised the hackles of large segments of the Japanese public.Nonetheless, he may soon become Japans longest-serving post-war prime minister. The challenges he faces, however, continue to mount, writes Ellis Krauss, among them Donald Trumps erratic administration and Abes desire to amend Japans postwar peace constitution to fit the reality of the countrys more assertive security posture.