IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar
 
Internal power struggle in China: Four takeaways from two analyses by the Jamestown Foundation and The Economist

The essays reflect on the inner political friction within China and the Communist Party. It outlines the intensity of Chinese domestic politics and attempts to comprehend the factional dynamics which often comes out as a monolith. The rise of Xi Jinping in recent years is seen as an authoritarian one with the obvious possibility of rivals.

One could identify four takeaways from these analyses.

First, the internal divide within the factions of the Communist Party of China. In recent years factional backstabbing has increased especially with the economic crackdown in China. Evergrande Group, one of the largest real estate conglomerates in China with its near-bankruptcy of $240 billion liabilities has escalated the wider systematic crisis in Beijing sparking protests by angry investors and contractors. Since Xi Jinping came into power his primary focus has been to convey the impression that he follows Marxism and Maoism “do not forget the original intent”. However, such reforms have been upsetting the property-owning middle class creating a huge internal resistance. The critics within the system have been slightly eliminated marching towards their idea of national greatness.

Second, Xi’s rival party members. Xi Jinping is gradually tightening the political control of China. Starting with attacking the rich and famous from best-known actors to private firms Xi is remoulding the society with a more visible involvement of the party within people’s lives. Wang Qishan, the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China is one of the closest allies of Xi has gradually fallen out of favour. He is seen to provide homage to the journalist who exposes controversial stories on the wrongdoings of powerful officials. Ren Zhiqiang, a princeling, and real-estate mogul were sentenced to jail for eighteen years for alleged corruption and embezzlement last year for posting on the internet about the supreme as “the emperor who wears no clothes”. Wang is a close friend of Ren who is often thought of as a cause for ren’s post on Xi.

Third, the friction between political and legal apparatus. The supreme has a long-standing distrust with the regard to the political-gal apparatus. Xi’s arch-enemy, former PBSC member and internal security czar Zhou Yongkang still has a large number of followers in the police department despite him being imprisoned in 2015. The arrest of three former Vice Ministers of public security on the basis of economic and disciplinary infractions is part of Xi’s driving force in implementing the political and legal policies. With Wang Qishan and Zeng Qinghong, a veteran banker who was the former head of state-owned China Huarong Asset Management Company (CHAMC) arrested for association with a scandal with Lai Xiamin executed this January are the alleged political foes of Xi Jinping still under the covers.

Four, the question of the return of the ‘Cultural Revolution. The world witnesses a transformation going on in Beijing which is often questioned as Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution. The Economist says “nothing like Cultural Revolution appears to be offing”. The event which pushed China to a civil war years ago is not likely to happen because of Xi Jinping’s tighter surveillance and his dedication to preserve stability. Xi reforming the society under the backdrop of neo-Maoism especially since the pandemic began is his control over the country.

References
“Xi Jinping’s clampdowns herald a tense political year in China,” The Economist, 2 October 2021
“Early Warning Brief: Factional Strife Intensifies as Xi Strives to Consolidate Power,” The Jamestown Foundation, 14 October 2021
 

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha
  
INTERNAL
Human Rights in China: Forum celebrates 30 years of first Chinese white paper
On 15 October, the Chinese government held a forum to celebrate three decades of the white paper titled ‘Human Rights in China.’ The forum involved over 70 government officials and local government representatives and experts. The paper that was published 30 years ago was the first white paper published by the Chinese government. The forum appreciated the efforts of the government towards the upliftment of the Chinese people and observed that the country had improved the state of human rights in the country. The vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China said: “Facing the irreversible process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the West has enhanced its attacks and suppression against China using the disguise of human rights." (“Forum held in Beijing to celebrate 30th anniversary of 1991’s White Paper – Human Rights in China,” Global Times, 16 October 2021)
 
Xi demands progress on property tax as part of "common prosperity initiative"
On October 15, the Communist Party of China's journal Qiuchi, published by Xinhua News Agency, printed an essay that quoted President Xi Jinping as calling for a vigorous and steady advance in the legislation for property tax. Xi demanded an update and progress on the legislation for property tax which will be a key step for China's "common prosperity initiative" to overcome the wealth gap in the country. President Xi also warned against over-promising the push for social welfare by the government. ("China's Xi calls for progress on property tax in drive for prosperity," Reuters, 15 October 2021)
 
Seven activists from Hong Kong imprisoned
On 16 October, seven activists from Hong Kong were jailed for up to 12 months. The activists included former lawmakers as well. They were imprisoned due to their role in the 2019 protests that rattled the entire city, and the world. The activists were undergoing prosecution for a while now and faced charges for organising aggravating rallies during the protests. The protests have been silenced through the National Security Law passed by the authorities last year. ("Seven Hong Kong activists jailed over unauthorised protest in 2020," Reuters, 16 October 2021)
 
SCMP reports on waves of disruption after the crackdown on the private educational industry
On 16 October, South China Morning Post covered the continuing impact of the crackdown on private tutors in China by the authorities over the summer. Due to private educational tuition after school, the costs in the educational industry had risen exponentially in China. This made couples wary of having kids. The Chinese government had imposed a ban on such tuition firms over the summer. Many firms closed doors and numerous investors lost huge sums of money. Now, there exist multiple lawsuits against high-end firms that suddenly closed without refunding the huge sums of pre-paid fees. Furthermore, many firms are still operating in secrecy and earning more now. Tutoring firms teaching English as a second language are the most common type in both cases. (He Huifeng, "China's education crackdown sparks lawsuit against defunct institutions, while some tutors keep teaching in secret," South China Morning Post, 16 October 2021)
 
TECHNOLOGY
Shenzhou-13 successfully docks with Tianhe
On 16 October, the China Manned Space Agency announced that the three Chinese astronauts had successfully entered the Chinese space station Tiankong. Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, the three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-13 docked with the Tianhe module to become the second Chinese crew to enter the space station that was established in April 2021. The crew consists of the first female astronaut to enter the Chinese space station. They are tasked with doubling the previous record duration in space by a Chinese crew. (“Shenzhou-13 crew enter China's Tianhe space station core cabin,” Global Times, 16 October 2021)
 
REGIONAL
China cautions the Czech Republic against deepening cooperation with Taiwan
On 15 October, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in the Czech Republic reiterated China’s opposition to an increase in Taiwanese officials’ visits to the country. On 13 October, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Czech Republic agreed to increase cooperation with Taiwan. In response, China urged the country to follow the one-China principle in matters related to Taiwan. (“China strongly opposes Czech Senate's resolution on strengthening ties with Taiwan island: embassy,” Global Times, 15 October 2021)
 
INTERNATIONAL
Apple shuts down popular Quran apps in China
On 15 October, BBC reported that Apple has shut down multiple popular Quran apps from Apple stores in China. Based on the report, one of these apps has close to 150000 reviews and millions of users. The reason speculated for this shutdown, as per the app maker company PDMS, is that Apple was asked to do so by the Chinese authorities. The app Quran Majeed includes content that requires additional documentation and permission from the Chinese authorities. However, many believe the shutdown is a part of the Islamic crackdown in China, in the Xinjiang region. Apple makes a majority of its revenues from China and the firm has bent according to Chinese demands previously, too. ("Apple takes down Quran app in China," BBC, 15 October 2021)