In late October, President Xi Jinping was given the title of ‘core’ leader at a top-level Chinese Communist Party meeting. The collective leadership system “must always be followed and should not be violated by any organisation or individual under any circumstance or for any reason,” but all Party members should “closely unite around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” said a lengthy communique released after the four-day meeting of senior officials.
“In China, little words have big meanings,” the BBC comments. “The expression is already falling off the lips of senior government officials like a religious mantra… What worries China observers is that General Secretary Xi is growing into an untouchable figure the likes of which has not been seen here for quite some time.”
“The ‘core’ leader title marks a significant strengthening of Xi's position ahead of a key party congress next year, at which a new Standing Committee, the pinnacle of power in China, will be constituted,” according to Reuters. “While head of the party, the military and the state, Xi had not previously been given the title ‘core’,” which puts him on a par with earlier leaders Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. This meant “they had almost absolute authority and should not be questioned,” Reuters comments.
Zhang Lifan, a Beijing-based political commentator, said now that Xi was the ‘core’, things should go more smoothly for him at next year's congress. But, he continued, “If the economy continues to go downhill and the rifts in society become more serious, the responsibility of the core is greater... Your relative power and authority are greater, everyone is deferring to you. But they will be watching to see if your leadership is good or bad.”
Steve Tsang, professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies at Britain’s University of Nottingham, told Reuters that while Xi is in a strong position, there is still a year to go before the congress. “There's still a lot of unanswered questions. Will his successor be named? Will Xi get a third term?” Tsang said. “Judging by recent past precedent, Xi should step down at the 2022 congress after a decade at the top, but speculation in leadership circles has swirled that he may try and stay on, perhaps giving up the post as president but remaining as party leader, the more senior of the posts.”
Prayer Pointers:
Pray over developments in China in the lead-up to next year’s key party congress. There are many important decisions that will be made before the congress takes place.
The membership of the new Standing Committee (which oversees the country) will be announced at the 2017 congress. Pray over the jostling for power that will take place in coming months.
Pray for Xi Jinping and all those in authority in China. Pray that each one might strive for justice and righteousness in their own lives and in the country.
