THE world’s largest political party, the Communist Party of China, is meeting in Beijing to elect its top brass and to develop a roadmap for running the largest developing country.
The 19th national congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is one of the most important events on Beijing’s political calendar. The meeting takes place every five years for the party to assess its progress and determine its strategy for the future. The outcome of the meeting will determine the shape of the country’s role in world politics.
President Xi Jinping has pledged to return the party to its Marxist roots under the banner of “socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
Xi is expected to continue as party boss, cementing his rule for the next five years and, perhaps, beyond. However, it is still uncertain who will be elected to join the Chinese president in the upper echelons of power in the seven-member politburo standing committee.
During the seven-day meeting which started on Wednesday, delegates, representing an estimated 89 million party members nationwide, will elect about 200 members to the CCP’s central committee. This committee will then be tasked with appointing the 25-member politburo, which in turn decides on the standing committee that sits at the pinnacle of Chinese politics.
The inner workings of the party are shrouded in secrecy but political analysts believe some insight will be possible when the new central committee is ushered in during the next day or so.
Filling the seven positions with allies is key to Xi’s longevity in the power seat.
Reuters reported that Xi’s most trusted aides look set for promotion to the standing committee. This includes Li Zhanshu, an adviser who worked as a junior official in Hebei province in the 1980s at the same time as Xi. He also looks set to break with tradition and retain key ally Wang Qishan in some capacity despite the anti-corruption tsar passing the party’s stipulated retirement age.
Xi could also earn the role as party chairman, which would pave the way for him to stay in office past 2022 when precedent dictates he should step down, leadership sources told the news agency.
If this transpires he will be the first to do so since Deng Xiaoping.
The party's announcement ahead of the congress that it would make amendments to its constitution gives some indication of changes afoot. China is the world’s second-largest economy, contributing more than 30% to global economic growth since 2008, so decisions taken at the congress will impact on the rest of the world.
In his key party leadership speech Xi said China would increase assistance to other developing countries, especially least developed countries, in order to “do its part to reduce the North-South gap”.
He was also cognisant of the growing uncertainties and challenges in the world, from the global economy, major infectious diseases, climate change and security threats such as terrorism.
Xi called on the nation to transform into a “a mighty force” in geopolitics, economics, military and environmental issues.
As Xi continues to take the reins, wielding considerable power as the leader of a superpower, the world will be watching to see what he does with it and how he, in his words, “navigates the great ship bearing the dream of the Chinese people to conquer the waves and reach its destination”.
Melanie Peters is the Live Editor of Weekend Argus. She is on a 10-month scholarship with the China Africa Press Centre. Instagram: mels_chinese_takeout