Russia Today observes the importance of the CPC’s 20th National Congress:
The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, the pinnacle event in the country’s political life and held only every five years, kicks off in Beijing on October 16. Experts will be tuning in to pick up any signals related not only to the political standing and prospects of China’s leader Xi Jinping, who is likely to run for a third term, but also to the way the country is planning to build its relations with the US and Russia in the future.
Western speculation believes that the event could signify a triumph for Xi as he will most likely remain at the helm of the party for a third term. Should that happen, it would go against the tradition which has formed in Chinese politics over the last 30 years. Up to now, the reins of power in the country were handed over to a new generation of leaders at the end of the second term.
Thus, such a move would herald a new era in the history of modern China.
Starting from 2018, it has become increasingly clear that Xi is going to defy this tradition. That year, amendments were made to the Chinese Constitution lifting the two-term limit on the presidency. However, according to Aleksandr Lomanov, the Deputy Director for Scientific Work at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS), the extension of Xi’s rule for another term is not indicative of the general direction of Chinese politics in the next five year.
“For the world at large, the important thing is not whether Xi Jinping is going to stay for another term. Most of the world’s countries don’t really care who is in charge in China. What is important is the kind of policies China is going to pursue in the future, and how stable the country is going to be,” Lomanov explained.
Also, the congress is expected to review the party’s work and achievements over the last five years as well as to announce the new composition of its ‘board of directors’ – the Political Bureau (Politburo) Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, composed of the party’s top officials who make all the important decisions in the country. Today, it’s made up of seven members (historically, this number has ranged from five to nine).
It is believed that at least three of the party members currently serving on the Standing Committee will resign for various reasons, including China’s second most important man – Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang. He is required by law to step down as premier in 2023, since the term limit was only removed for the president.
Meanwhile, the Global Times explains that the core strength of the CPC is its direct connection to the nation, which stands in complete contrast to Western political parties, which are led by immigrant elites whose interests are distinct from, and often hostile to, the interests of the nations over whom they rule.
The CPC succeeded where the Communist Party of the USSR failed due to its focus on the Chinese nation rather than international revolution. The CPC succeeded where the Democratic-Republicans of the United States of America failed due to its focus on the Chinese nation rather than international immigration.
“Stability” is the most prominent feature and advantage of China’s politics and development, and it is also the fundamental manifestation of political maturity. Stability leads to long-term development, and this is especially the case for major countries. The key to China’s long-term stable development is the strong leadership of the CPC. This is not a secret, and should be one of the most important research topics in contemporary political science. The CPC cannot be simply explained and understood through the concept of “party” in Western political science. There are more than 96 million CPC members. This figure is more than the population of most countries in the world. More than 4.9 million grassroots Party organizations can be found in all fields of society. The CPC is deeply rooted in China and the Chinese people, and thus has uplifting power in the pursuit of excellence.
The CPC comes from the people, is for the people and relies on the people. All of the steps it strives to take are dedicated to working for the wellbeing of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This original mission is manifested through specific policies and measures, as well as the practice of every Party member, and has been proven by the great practice of the CPC. Ties between the CPC and the Chinese people are like ties between flesh and blood – they are inseparable. This is fundamentally different in nature from the relatively loose political parties in Western countries, which are more like interest groups formed around elections.
In today’s fast-changing international situation, the significance of the CPC as the backbone of the Chinese people is even more prominent. Since the establishment of the CPC, the Chinese nation has not needed to wander through the dangerous jungle of modern civilization.
The superiority of the Chinese political system can be summarized in the two sentences highlighted above. In 1835, Andrew Reed and James Matheson wrote that “America will be great if America is good. If not, her greatness will vanish away like a morning cloud.” But they were wrong. The United States is no longer great because the United States is no longer American.
China is great because the CPC is Chinese. And China will continue to be great so long as the CPC remains of the Chinese people, for the Chinese people, and dedicated to the wellbeing of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.
History repeatedly demonstrates that a nation will inevitably decline once it accepts immigration, adulteration, and rule by women and foreigners. And no amount of wokery, diversity, and equalitarian rhetoric will avert the verdict of history.
Which is why the seeds of China’s eventual decline may have been planted in Xi’s speech to the Congress.
From this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups…
And so it begins.
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