CPC 20th Congress: Formal step paves the way for Xi's third mandate

Xi was unanimously elected delegate for the Communist Party congress representing Guangxi. However, economic problems and the COVID-19 crisis risk weakening him. The Communist party is asking citizens to send comments on eight issues before the Congress; however, it is almost impossible for anyone to express themselves freely.

Beijing (AsiaNews) – Chinese President Xi Jinping was officially nominated as delegate for Guangxi Province to the upcoming 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

By a unanimous vote, the local party congress formally laid the ground for Xi’s third, unprecedented mandate as China’s leader.

China’s president has been preparing to make his tenure at the helm of the country permanent for some time. For many observers, his re-election is a foregone conclusion.

Nevertheless, economic problems and above all the re-emergence of the pandemic in various parts of the country could cause some surprises, such as the emergence of a premier who is not from the president’s faction.

The health crisis is a sore point for Xi. In the past 24 hours, Shanghai has reported more than 23,000 new cases, up by 32.6 per cent compared to the day before. Symptomatic cases increased by 41.7 per cent, with 48 deaths since the latest outbreak began in late March.

Meanwhile, for the first time in its history, the CPC has invited ordinary Chinese to submit comments on eight issues that will be addressed at the 20th Congress.

People will be allowed to make suggestions on “full and strict party governance, high quality development, comprehensive reform and opening up, [and] whole-process people’s democracy”. The CPC also wants to know what people think about “law-based state governance, socialist cultural advancement, people’s livelihoods and ecological progress”.

For the Party, this expresses the leadership’s “democratic working style”, but for many analysts it is a cosmetic operation. It is doubtful that in China’s “police state”, many citizens will feel free to say what they really think.

Perhaps Xi should not be granted a third term like his predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.

• china
• 20th party congress
• xi jinping
• third mandate
• preparations
• economy
• pandemic
• covid-19