IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

Xi Jinping rewriting the history of the party: The Economist

On 6 November, the Economist published an editorial on the Communist Party's leader, Xi Jinping elevated status. Xi has been altering the rules of politics, business and society for a while and is currently "rewriting the history of the party itself." 

The annual plenary meeting which began on 8 November advertised their top agenda that is a resolution on the party's history. The former triumphs: Mao in 1945 and Deng in 1981 were the crucial junctures in consolidating power in China. The Economist says, Xi Jinping wants to showcase himself as ‘indispensable’ and a political giant when put par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping turning China into a global power.

The power demonstration
Jude Blanchette of the Centre of Strategic and international Studies, a think-tank in Washington says, “The resolution will be an extraordinary demonstration of power.” Xi’s hold on the Communist Party is evident showing his ability to crush any kind of opposition that arises within the party. The plenum is for celebrating the achievements of China under Xi’s leadership fulling his vision of “new era.” This year’s plenum marks a crucial one for setting the tone before the five-yearly congress. Since the past few months, Xi has been silencing his critics and crushing potential rivals and personalities alongwith slamming regulators on big private firms.

 Uniting the two ideologies of Mao and Deng
The Economist says the history presents a different challenge to Xi Jinping. In the Communist Party of China on one side is the party’s left wing consisting of the neo-Maoists. The neo-Maoists have criticized Deng and are waiting for restoration of Mao’s ideologies and the party’s right wing are the supporters on Deng’s reforms who are wary that Mao-style dictatorship might slide back in China. Xi Jinping is careful not to negate either Mao or Deng as he wants a clean history where there are no mistakes and contractions. His campaign against “historical nihilism” is to erase anything that casts the party in an unfavourable light.

The road ahead
The plenum is the propaganda apparatus for Xi Jinping’s “wisdom” and fostering the enthusiasm of his life-long rule. The key words such as “modern socialist nation”, “prosperous”, “strong” and “common prosperity” were the highlights of the plenum. Joseph Fewsmith of Boston University told the Economist that “from Mr. Xi’s perspective the resolution not only has to look back over the past, but it has to look to the future.” He further added that Mr. Xi thinks, “The future, c’est moi.”

References
“Xi Jinping is rewriting history to justify his rule for years to come,” The Economist, 6 November 2021

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Xinjiang regional government spokesperson hits back at World Uyghur Congress
On 15 November, Xu Guixiang the spokesperson of the regional government in Xinjiang commented on the World Uyghur COngress Assembly that took place from 12 to 14 November in Prague. In an interview to the Global Times reporters, he called the organization a US-based terrorist camp with violent and separatist intentions, manipulated by the East Turkistan Islamic Movement. He strongly condemned all countries and person’s indulging with the WUC and called for these anti-China forces to stop interfering in China’s internal matters. (Liu Xin and Fan Lingzhi, “‘Assembly’ of WUC in Prague an ugly collusion and aggregation of anti-China forces: Xinjiang regional govt spokesperson,” Global Times, 15 November 2021)

China to approve country’s 1st COVID-19 drug soon
On 15 November, Global Times reported that researchers in China are continuously developing new remedies against the coronavirus, among which a neutralizing monoclonal antibody combination therapy will soon become the first drug of the country to get approval for market use. The drug will also receive emergency use authorization in western and developed countries such as the US. The drug is co-developed by a university, a hospital and a company from China. It is said that the drug, which will be approved by December-end, can be used for mild to moderate COVID-19 cases, and also for post-exposure prevention. (Fan Anqi and Leng Shumei, “China expected to approve country's 1st COVID-19 drug by year-end,” Global Times, 15 November 2021)

US officials hint at lifting sanctions before virtual meeting
On 15 November, the Global Times reported that some senior officials in the US had hinted on relaxing the tariffs before the virtual meeting between the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the US President Joe Biden. Chinese political analysts believe that the US is attempting to enhance its relationship with China because of inflation pressures in the US economy and the falling approval ratings for President Biden in the domestic political scenario. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “As China-US relations are now at a critical crossroads, the virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Biden scheduled for Tuesday morning (Beijing time) is a major event for China-US relations and for international relations. Chinese and American people, in addition to the international community, expect the meeting to yield positive results for the two countries and the world.” (Washington eases stance on trade ahead of Xi-Biden talks,” Global Times, 15 November)

TECHNOLOGY
Chinese researchers find find binary and triple candidates in the galaxy
On 16 November, Xinhua Net reported that a team of Chinese scientists had obtained 3,133 spectroscopic binary and 132 spectroscopic triple candidates in the Milky Way galaxy. The researchers published the report in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. The new findings are crucial to the study of formation and evolution of stars. The report observes that approximately half the stars in the Milky Way galaxy are binary systems. (“Chinese researchers discover new spectroscopic binary, triple candidates,” Xinhua Net, 16 November 2021)

REGIONAL
Experts render Taiwan’s new military warplanes ineffective against China
On 15 November, Global Times published an article citing experts from China who opine that Taiwan’s forceful resistance against reunification will meet a dead end. Taiwan has recently added its first indigenous submarine and an advanced supersonic jet trainer into its military capabilities. The move is seen by Chinese experts as a weak one against the vast military capabilities of the mainland including anti-submarine warfare and strong warplanes. The article expanded on the features of the new additions in Taiwa’s defence system and further explained that they are not sensible investments against China. The disparity in capabilities of Taiwan and the mainland will not reduce, according to the article. (Xu Keyue, “Taiwan’s new submarine, warplanes cannot change widening military gap with mainland: experts,” Global Times, 15 November 2021)

Cambodian Prime Minister holds virtual meeting with Chinese Premier
On 15 November, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a virtual meeting with the Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and promised to continue their support and assistance towards each other. Li observed that the two countries had achieved great progress during their friendship. He said: “China attaches great importance to developing China-Cambodia ties, and will continue to support Cambodia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.” They two countries agreed to work with each other on regional economic integration, trade and investment to facilitate the economy in the region. (“Chinese premier meets Cambodian PM via video link,” Xinhua Net, 15 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Xi congratulates the opening of 6th China-Africa People’s Forum
On 15 November, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 6th China-Africa People’s Forum that opened in Beijing. The letter noted that the world is going through great development and change creating new opportunities and challenges. In such an era, China and Africa need to uphold and carry forward common values of humanity such as peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. He also emphasized on the shared future of China-Africa community which should be led by solidarity and cooperation. (“Xi sends congratulatory letter to 6th China-Africa People's Forum,” Xinhua Net, 15 November 2021)