IN FOCUS
By Sukanya Bali

Sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central  Committee: Looking back at history

On 11 November, the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded in Beijing. During the session Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee presented the work report on behalf of the Political Bureau, which consists of “the major achievement made and the historical experience of the Party over the past century and the resolution on the convocation of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.”

The Communist party's senior leadership, at the meeting, passed a "historic resolution", affirming Xi's stature in the political history of the country. Xi became the third leader to have issued such a resolution. The resolution elevated Xi's significance to an "era-defining leader", alongside Mao Zedong and  Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of opening up the Chinese economy. 

The communique released at the end of the meeting praised Xi's policies since he took control. The New York Times reported: the communique said, “Under Mao, Deng and now Mr. Xi China had achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.” The meeting hailed Xi leadership across the spectrum including, economy, foreign policy, cracking down on corruption, and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Xi holds three positions- General Secretary of the CPC, Chairman of powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), and Presidency. The announcement at the plenum is an official endorsement of Xi's policies, ahead of the party Congress next year, where he is likely to get another five years as the leader of the Communist party.

The party leaders had praised Xi’s political ideology and "acclaimed him as a transformational leader who has led China into a new epoch." The plenary session also reviewed and passed a resolution on convening the 20th National Congress of the CPC in the second half of 2022 in Beijing. The final communique statement read: “To seek happiness for the Chinese people, to seek rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”  

Role of a Plenum
The plenum brings together the members of the Central Committee of the  Chinese Communist party for a four-day meeting. This year's plenum meeting was the sixth time China’s 348 full and alternate members of the 19th Central Committee had gathered. The Central Committee is the largest of the party’s top decision-making bodies. 

In the central committee meeting in 1978, China took a path toward market reforms. In 2013, CPC approved the blueprint of Xi Jinping’s economic and social reforms in nearly three decades, relaxing its one-child policy and freeing up the market to put the world's second-largest economy. In 2018, Xi abolished the two-term limit on the state presidency and the only position, which he has held that had a term limit. This gave Xi the autonomy to stay on indefinitely as party leader, president, and a top military leader. The officials highlighted, “the change did not mean Xi would remain in power his entire life, as Mao did.” In 2019 the meeting set in motion Hong Kong’s drastic national security law.

Review of party’s historical experience over the past century 
During the session, the party's achievements and historical experiences were reviewed in order to start a new journey “to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and build a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics.” The communique highlighted five key areas; upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era; strengthening our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; enhancing socialism with Chinese characteristics; resolutely upholding Xi leadership to ensure that all Party members act in unison; advancing the Party’s and strengthen its capacity to respond to risks and challenges; uniting and leading the citizen Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Challenges ahead of Xi
As Xi Jinping consolidates his positions at the helm of the CCP, several challenges lay ahead of China. First, Trade disputes with Washington over technological rivalry and military engagements with allies in the Indo-Pacific, have raised strategic concerns in Beijing. Second, Western condemnation of the treatment of the Muslim minority in Xinjiang and the crackdown down on political opponents in Hong Kong. Third, Intermittent border issues with India and the independence of Taiwan cause uncertainties along its borders. Fourth, the slow economic growth rate due to global supply chain disruptions amid zero-tolerance covid policy. The political leadership of Xi Jinping may have to carefully tread over these challenges to realize his Chinese Dream.

References: 
“China’s Xi Jinping Remakes the Communist Party’s History in His Image,” The New York Times,  11 November 2021
“19th CPC Central Committee concludes 6th plenary session, releases communique,” CGTN, 11 November 2021
 

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Senior party official stresses studying the plenary session 
On 11 November, Huang Kunming, a senior official of the Political Bureau and the head of the Publicity Department pushed the country to take up the study of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and encouraged the spirit of the session. He said: “the resolution, a Marxist guiding document, will have a profound impact on promoting the whole Party to unify their thinking, will, and action, as well as achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” (“Senior CPC official stresses publicizing key Party session,” Xinhua Net, 11 November 2021)

Bloomberg reports on shrinking Chinese population due to low number of births
On 11 November, Bloomberg reported that China’s population might be shrinking further with a continued drop in births. He Yafu, an independent Chinese demographer predicted that, “If the number of newborns is near the lower limit of the prediction, that means the population will register negative growth.” On his personal social media account, Mr. He mentioned that there might be around 9.5 million to 10.5 million newborn babies born in 2021. The Chinese government has recently taken effective steps to remove the restrictions on the number of children a couple can have and make it cheaper to raise a child. Bloomberg reported various other reports from the National Health Commission and newspapers indicating the lowest level of birth of newborns in 2021. (“ China’s Population May Already Be Falling as Births Slow Further,” Bloomberg, 11 November 2021)

Hong Kong pro-democracy protester sentenced to jail by the authorities
On 11 November, a Hong Kong man popularly known as “Captain America 2.0” was sentenced to jail for five years and nine months. Ma Chun-man, a 31-year-old food delivery driver who was actively participating in Hong Kong protests promoting Hong Kong’s independence from China was convicted in October 2021. Since the Chinese took over Hong Kong, Beijing imposed national security law in response to the massive pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. This is the third national security case to trial wherein Hong Kong authorities began wielding the new law silencing any kind of opposition. (“Hong Kong's 'Captain America' protester jailed over slogans,” The Strait Times, 11 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
China and Mongolia strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation
On 10 November, the Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of China’s Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong held a meeting with the Mongolian Ambassador to China Tuvshin Badral. At the meeting, the two officials discussed bilateral relations, cooperation on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and issues of mutual interest and international significance. Liu said: "It is expected that China and Mongolia will strengthen cooperation, meet each other halfway, earnestly implement prevention and control measures and resolutely block cross-border spread of the virus." Mongolia also stressed a healthy and positive relationship with China and promised to adhere to conditions to work with China. (“China and Mongolia expect to strengthen cooperation in epidemic prevention and block the cross-border spread of COVID-19,” Global Times, 12 November 2021)

China signs another document on vaccine sharing with Belarus
On 11 November, a new batch of vaccines from China reached Belarus. The two countries signed another document on vaccine cooperation. The Chinese Ambassador to Belarus said: “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Belarus have sincerely supported each other, provided each other with medical supplies, and exchanged experience on combating the pandemic.” The two countries have shared a strong bond and have cooperated immensely with each other since the beginning of the pandemic. Belarusian Health Minister claimed to be the first country to extend support at the beginning of the pandemic in China and also received help from China while it went through the waves of the pandemic. (“Belarus receives new batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines,” Xinhua Net, 12 November 2021)

China’s Consulate General in Chicago issues notice alerting Chinese students and citizens of safety and security concerns
On 11 November, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago published a notice on its website urging the US to take “concrete measures” to protect Chinese citizens. This is in line with the recent violent attack and shooting in Chicago wherein a 24-year-old Chinese student was killed. The consulate expressed their condemnation of the killing of innocent people and prompted the US to further investigate and make the details available to the public. The notice comes in with a warning from the Consulate General reminding Chinese students and citizens to remain alert of the security situation and ensuring self-safety. (“Consulate General in Chicago urges US to protect Chinese citizens, slamming violence that killed a Chinese student,” Global Times, 11 November 2021)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on the US-China joint statement
On 11 November, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin commented on the joint statement issued by the Us and China. According to Global Times, Wang said, “The declaration is the product of candid exchanges, mutual understanding and efforts to expand consensus, which once again showed China and the US can work together on major international issues and accomplish great things that benefit the people of both countries and the world.” He further stressed China’s willingness to work with the US and cooperating on climate change for “win-win cooperation on the global climate system.” (“China-US climate declaration injects confidence in bilateral cooperation under APEC, possibly more interactions in trade, military,” Global Times, 11 November 2021)