Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to stamp his authority during the upcoming once-in-five years conclave of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in the tradition of the Party’s two iconic leaders — Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
The decks have already been cleared for Mr. Xi acquiring a coveted status among the tallest leaders of the CPC, which assumed power in 1949.
Last year, he was designated as a “core” leader, which bestows on him the role of a vital power centre, at a time when China has been undergoing a major transition. Only Mao, Deng and Jiang Zemin have been given “core” status ahead of President Xi. The “core” designation has meant that Mr. Xi is not the “first among equals,” but ranked higher within the seven-member standing committee of the Politburo, the most powerful body within the CPC.
During the weeklong party congress, which begins on October 18, a new body of thought will be named after Mr. Xi. That honour has so far been bestowed only on Mao and Deng. President Xi’s predecessors Mr. Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao had also contributed political theories to the party charter, but their ideological inputs do not bear their name.
Analysts say that thoroughly empowered, President Xi now has a free hand in shaping the party during the congress, especially the formation of the new standing committee of the Politburo.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) is reporting that apart from Mr. Xi, Prime Minister Li Keqiang also appears set to assume a second term at the congress.
But unlike some of his predecessors such as Wen Jiabao and Zhu Rongji, Mr. Li, as the head of the State Council or the Cabinet, is expected to implement rather than shape policy on Mr. Xi’s watch. Analysts say that “Leading Groups” within the sprawling party apparatus, covering important subjects including economic and military reforms, have been playing a key role in shaping policy during Mr. Xi’s first term in office.
Of the remaining five standing committee members, there is considerable speculation whether Wang Qishan, already 69, but who has spearheaded Mr. Xi’s signature anti-corruption campaign, will get another term in the party’s top echelon.
Analysts say that other likely contenders for the Politburo Standing Committee include three provincial party secretaries, from China’s booming economic hubs. These are Han Zheng, Shanghai’s party boss and Hu Chunhua, the party chief of Guangdong — the province at the core of elevating China’s status as the workshop of the world. Chen Miner, the party chief of Chongqing, a pivotal city in Mr. Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plan, is also in the race for the standing committee member. However his elevation would mean that he would have to be promoted two rungs higher from his present status as a Central Committee member.
Observers point out the elevation of Vice-Premier Wang Yang to the top leadership group may be imminent. Mr. Wang currently leads China’s anti-poverty programme, as well as trade talks with the United States.
Li Zhanshu, known as the President’s right-hand man, is also expected to find his footing in the new standing committee.
