Chinese President Xi Jinping’s status as a theoretician, in the same league as the country’s tallest leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, is likely to be debated during the 19th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which begins its once-in-five-years session on Wednesday.
The Congress will review the work of its predecessor, and newly elected leadership will provide strategic direction for the future.
During a media conference on Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People, the spokesman for the Congress, Tuo Zhen, did not spell out whether an amendment by the outgoing Central Committee of the Party — technically the most powerful body when the Congress in not in session — had recommended that Mr. Xi’s doctrinal contributions should be bracketed at par with the theories proposed by Mao and Deng.
“The CPC will amend its Constitution at the upcoming National Congress to represent new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies proposed by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core,” Mr. Tuo said.
Strategic thoughts
He added: “The amendment will include key theories and strategic thoughts presented by a report to be delivered at the Congress.”
Wednesday’s session is expected to begin with the presentation of a “work report” on the outgoing 18th Party Congress. It will be debated by the nearly-2,300 delegates participating in the Congress.
The 19th Party Congress will also separately discuss the work report of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline and Inspection (CCDI) — the Party’s powerful anti-corruption wing. Besides, the delegates, through secret ballot will elect a new Central Committee.
In turn, the Central Committee will elect a 25-member Politburo, as well an apex seven-member Standing Committee of the Politburo. The General Secretary of the CPC, the highest ranking official of the party — a position currently occupied by Mr. Xi — would be picked from the Politburo Standing Committee’s ranks.
“A new central leadership will be elected at the first plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), after the conclusion of the 19th CPC National Congress,” Mr. Tuo observed.
Analysts say that Mr. Xi’s position as the Party General Secretary, the President as well the Chairman of the Central Military Commission stands confirmed. But there is considerable speculation regarding the remaining six members.
In the last few days, a view has been gaining ground that Wang Qishan, Mr. Xi’s top ally in the war against corruption, instead of retiring due to age, may assume a key leadership role in the new line-up.
Mr. Xi has been the architect of “four comprehensives”, which provide the theoretical foundation for achieving China’s two strategic goals. The first is to build a “moderately prosperous society” by 2021 — the centenary of the CPC. The second is to build an advanced socialist society by 2049 when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) completes 100 years of its formation.
Mr. Tuo underscored that the 19th Party Congress is of “vital importance as it is being held when China is striving to clinch final victory in building a society of moderate prosperity in all respects and the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics had entered a crucial period”.
Mr. Xi is not the first Chinese leader to make a numerically elaborated doctrinal contribution for advancing Chinese society. China’s first Prime Minister Zhou Enlai is credited for theorising on ‘four modernisations’ — a blueprint, which was later elaborated by Deng Xiaoping.
Mr. Tuo said that the 19th Party Congress would recognise theoretical contributions made by some of the previous leaders. He made a special reference to the theory of ‘Scientific Outlook on Development’, framed by former President Hu Jintao and ‘Three Represents’ by Jiang Zemin which, at the turn of the century, made a successful case for “opening up” the CPC to other members, including representatives of the business elite.
