The communist party meeting is done and dusted. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has successfully established himself as China’s political supremo.
No big surprises there. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China ended this week with 3 000 journalists from local and international media in Beijing for the country’s most important political event.
Here, the apex of China’s ruling party was decided. Five new appointments were made to the country’s most powerful group, the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee.
Xi, 64, premier Li Keqiang, 62, were the only committee members to retain their positions. Vice-Premier Wang Yang, 62, has been appointed China’s executive vice-premier. Han Zheng, 63, has been promoted to lead the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. They were joined by Zhao Leji, 60, who will lead the party’s anti-corruption body, Li Zhanshu, 67 and Wang Huning, 62.
But it is the amendments to the Communist Party of China’s constitution and an unclear successor to Xi, apparent break with tradition, that has dominated Western media headlines.
Specifically, Xi’s ideology was enshrined in its constitution, a move overseas media believe elevates him to the same level as party founder Mao Zedong.
The BBC pointed to the unanimous vote to write in “Xi Jinping Thought” at the end of the congress, arguing that this was an increased grip on his power since becoming leader in 2012.
The omission of a successor is viewed by political analysts as Xi cementing his role in the seat of power for the next five years and, possibly, beyond.
The BBC said: “This move means that any challenge to Mr Xi will now be seen as a threat to Communist Party rule.”
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies ahead of the congress characterised China’s top ruler’s tenure as one of “political shock and awe”.
The research organisation said in an article penned by Christopher Johnson, a senior adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies, that some scholars have argued, however, that despite the paucity of hard rules governing Chinese elite politics, its leadership followed “a discrete series of identifiable political practices” regarding senior leadership promotion and succession with little variation in the past two decades.
Although not an exhaustive list, these “norms” included the sitting top leader of the party serving no more than two five-year terms as CCP general secretary before handing over that post to a successor.
A successor was usually publicly identified at the party congress at the midpoint of the party chief’s decade-long tenure and inherits key posts that clearly mark him as understudy to the top leader.
And lastly, in recognition of service, the outgoing leader’s contribution - his “guiding ideology” - was enshrined in the party’s constitution.
Political analysts have been quick to point out that none, besides founder Mao Zedong, have had their philosophy described as “thought”, which was at the top of the ideological hierarchy. Only Mao and Deng Xiaoping have had their names attached to their ideologies. In Deng’s case it was only added after his death.
Chinese media on the other hand predictably focused on the Xi strengths which include weeding out corrupt officials. In his address at a press conference after the announcement of the powerful seven, Xi pledged to get rid of “any virus that erodes the party’s fabric”.
His Belt and Road economic initiative, the rejuvenation of the old silk road, on which he has staked his legacy, was also included in the document.
He has also been commended for the radical restructuring of the world’s largest fighting force, the People’s Liberation Army.
Xi’s military thinking and the party’s “absolute” leadership over the military have been included in the constitution.
The resolution reads that “ the People’s Liberation Army will be strengthened by enhancing its political loyalty... the CPC will build the people’s forces that obey the party’s command, can fight and win”.
Curious rhetoric, especially, if you read between the lines.
Everyone from school children to state factory workers will be expected to join 89 million Communist Party members in studying “Xi Jinping Thought” on the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Perhaps to keep informed, China’s geopolitical opponents as well as its allies should do so too.
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