China's iron-man - the benevolent dictator? Xi Jinping

[MenInG]

China's President Xi Jinping signalled there would be no immediate loosening of his controversial zero-Covid strategy as a historic Communist Party congress opened in Beijing.

In a break in decades-long tradition, delegates are likely to hand Mr Xi a third term as party chief.

Zero-Covid was a "people's war to stop the spread of the virus", he said.

The policy has saved lives, but also exacted a punishing toll on the Chinese people and economy.

There is increasing public fatigue over lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Beijing has come under strict security measures ahead of the congress, sparking frustration in the city with a rare and dramatic public protest on Thursday criticising Mr Xi and zero Covid.

Mr Xi also addressed the issue of Taiwan - which China claims as part of its territory. Self-governing Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.

Speaking slowly and deliberately, he said Beijing would "never promise to renounce the use of force" and that "complete reunification of our country must and will be realised", prompting sustained applause from delegates.

On Hong Kong, Mr Xi said Beijing had exerted control there, turning the situation from "chaos to governance". Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on the territory after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.

Mr Xi also made reference to divisions within China's political establishment, saying his rule had "removed serious hidden dangers in the party".

Since reaching top office, he has overseen a wide-reaching corruption crackdown extending to the highest echelons of the party. But critics have portrayed it as a political purge.

He also added that China would accelerate the building of its military, referencing the terms "safety" or "security" some 73 times.

The speech, which lasted less than two hours, was significantly shorter than his speech at the last congress in 2017.

His remarks have likely had their choice of words workshopped for months and analysts will be poring over it for any signs of policy shifts.

A third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will pave the way for him to become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

About 2,300 delegates are meeting to elect party leaders and debate key policies.

Over the course of the congress, delegates are also expected to elect various leaders including the Politburo Standing Committee - China's equivalent of a presidential cabinet - who will present themselves to waiting media after the congress.

In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party.

But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Mr Xi.

In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communiqué days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him.

Mr Xi currently holds the three most powerful positions in China - general secretary of the CCP, chairman of the country's armed forces and president. He is expected to renew his term for the first two titles at the congress.

The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.

The presidency also used to have a two-term limit in the country's constitution, put in place by reformer Deng Xiaoping to prevent the rise of a Mao-like figure.

But Mr Xi has managed to eliminate this requirement: in 2018 China's rubber-stamp parliament abolished the rule, effectively allowing him to remain president for as long as he likes.

Since taking power in 2012, Mr Xi has led China on a path that has been equal parts ambitious and authoritarian.

He has pushed for "a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", which saw him pursuing economic reform, reducing pollution and alleviating poverty.

He has also launched crackdowns on the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

But Mr Xi continues to face a multitude of challenges, such as youth unemployment, a slowing economy and the ongoing property crisis - and of course zero-Covid.

How zero-Covid is spoiling Xi's party
Many will also be watching the congress to see if there will be any alteration to Beijing's foreign policy, especially towards the world's other superpower, the US.

Mr Xi's attempts to expand China's influence abroad through the One Belt One Road programme and claims in the South China Sea, as well as its support of Russia in the Ukraine war and its recent military exercises around Taiwan have raised tensions with the US and other countries.

With Mr Xi remaining at the helm all these will continue to be core interests - though some experts believe he may temper China's approach in some aspects to pursue better trade relations with the US and regional partners.

"The CCP's political legitimacy lies in socioeconomic delivery," said Dr Collin Koh of Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

"The average Chinese citizen will feel that things are not going very well, so there's a need to reinvigorate the kind of growth China has been more used to in recent decades."

 

[MenInG]

A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was pulled into Chinese consulate grounds in Manchester on Sunday and beaten up.

Unidentified men came out of the consulate and forced a man inside the compound before he escaped with the help of police and other demonstrators.

The protester told the BBC: "They dragged me inside, they beat me up."

The UK government called the reports "extremely concerning". The consulate says protesters displayed an insulting portrait of China's president.

The Foreign Office said it was urgently seeking clarity on the incident. Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation.

Speaking after the incident, the protester, called Bob, told BBC Chinese that "mainlanders" - people from mainland China, as opposed to Hong Kong - had come out of the consulate and destroyed their posters.

"As we tried to stop them, they dragged me inside, they beat me up," he said, adding that he was then pulled out by the UK police.

"It's ridiculous. They [the attackers] shouldn't have done that. We are supposed to have freedom to say whatever we want here [in the UK]."

After the incident, the crowd remained angry. Protesters shouted at the men from the consulate and the British police, arguing they could have done more.

Consulate staff had previously asked the protesters to move to the opposite side of the street.

There were two police officers at the protest, but several more appeared within minutes of the altercation beginning.

They gathered at the gates of the compound trying to break up the fighting and move protesters back.

One police officer entered the consulate grounds and pulled the man who had been dragged inside back out.

At least eight men - some of whom were wearing helmets and protective vests - then returned to the consulate building.

The consulate is on UK soil, but cannot be entered without consent.

Reacting on Twitter, former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the UK government should demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador, and that those involved should be sent back to China.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

China is pursuing unification with Taiwan "on a much faster timeline" than previously expected, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

Beijing had decided the status quo was no longer acceptable, he said.

In Sunday's speech opening the Communist party Congress in Beijing, President Xi Jinping refused to rule out using force to unify with Taiwan.

China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory, but Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.

Last month US President Joe Biden said US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack - despite the official US policy of ambiguity on the issue.

Speaking at an event at Stanford University on Tuesday with previous Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Mr Blinken said that if Beijing could not achieve unification by peaceful means it would use coercion and possibly force.

"That is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions," he said.

Mr Blinken added that the US would honour its commitments to Taiwan and support the island's ability to defend itself.

Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue of Taiwan and China.

Its official policy does not commit to military action on Taiwan - but US President Biden has seemingly gone against this stance by repeatedly emphasizing that Washington would defend Taiwan.

Secretary Blinken's comments come as China is holding a twice-in-a-decade party congress, in which President Xi is widely expected to be elected to a historic third theme in office.

In his opening remarks on Sunday, Mr Xi insisted that "complete reunification of our country must and will be realised".

"We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force," he said.

Tensions between US and China have been high in recent months, especially after a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China conducted large-scale military exercises in response to Ms Pelosi's visit, something Taiwan condemned as "highly provocative".

BBC

 

[Champ_Pal]

Love the word benevolent.

 

[Robert]

Love the word benevolent.

I think you will be fine and perhaps even prosperous as long as you don't question government. Or mention the Cultural Revolution, which Beijing is deeply embarrassed by and trying to airbrush out of history.

If you do, you will be "re-educated" and your womenfolk may be forcibly sterilised.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Interesting report on Sky that mentions how dozens of Ex British servicemen are working for the Chinese military.

XI's claws are everywhere.

Even Vince Cable is compromised.

 

[Robert]

Interesting report on Sky that mentions how dozens of Ex British servicemen are working for the Chinese military.

XI's claws are everywhere.

Even Vince Cable is compromised.

Several ex-RAF fliers, I believe.

 

[Technics 1210]

China has progressed beyond the wildest dreams of the West in the past 25 years. Everything from Economy, Infrastructure, Prosperity, and Geopolitics - you name it.

In exchange for what? Not having the freedom to question the government? Who needs to when citizens have money in their pockets. Totally worth the sacrifice.

Only the West weep about the right to criticise their government, and pontificate this said right, but nothing comes of it, just insecurity conditioning.

Now just go compare the standards of the West in the past 25 years with China. The West has declined in every aspect and facet - economy, politics, and society - and China owns most of the Western debt anyway.

This is what you call progress, authority from the top, not like in the West where on leader comes in and overturns the work of the previous leader or debating for decades on whether a 3rd runway should be built, or liberals trying to overturn a democratic result.

Democracy is overrated when it comes to progress. Heck, even the UK progressed through its looting of the world, that too on the command and control of the Monarchy. and not democracy.

But hey, Western decline is a price worth paying because poodles can question their government in the West and feel good about it.

 

[JaDed]

China has done well when they didn’t try to muscle their way and instead opened their SEZ’s and allowed their entrepreneurs to do the magic, everytime they have come down heavily on their people it has backfired.

Deng Xioping is the reason for revolutionary Chinese performance which put them on supreme path to progress not Xi.

He must be rolling in his grave to see what the hell happened to the 2 term rule policy he brought in.

 

[MenInG]

Chinese former leader Hu Jintao has been led out of the closing ceremony of the Communist Party Congress.

The frail-looking 79-year-old was sitting beside President Xi Jinping when he was approached and led away by officials. No explanation was given.

After its week-long congress, the party is expected to confirm Mr Xi, 69, for a historic third term.

The event, held in Beijing every five years, cemented his position as China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Hu Jintao, who held the presidency between 2003 and 2013, was on stage when two officials approached him. He said something to Xi Jinping, who nodded back.

Then Mr Hu was escorted out of the Great Hall of the People.

The footage of Mr Hu being asked to leave the stage is drawing global attention as people try to work out what happened, says the BBC's China correspondent, Stephen McDonell.

He adds that so far, there are a lot of questions and no answers from the Chinese government.

Earlier on Saturday, the Central Committee of 205 senior party officials was elected. Delegates rubber-stamped amendments to the party's constitution endorsing Mr Xi's ideas as guiding principles for China's future.

In his opening speech at the Congress last Sunday, he hailed the crushing of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong as a move from "chaos to governance". He also reaffirmed China's right to use force to seize the self-ruled island of Taiwan.

Mr Xi currently combines the positions of general secretary of the Communist Party, president and head of the armed forces. He is also referred to as Paramount or Supreme leader.

On Sunday he is expected to be officially confirmed for a third term as general secretary and to unveil his new leadership team.

In 2018, he abolished the presidential two-term limit, paving the way for him to rule indefinitely.

BBC

 

[daytrader]

China’s Xi clinches third term, packs leadership team with loyalists

China’s Xi Jinping secured a precedent-breaking third leadership term on Sunday and introduced a new Politburo Standing Committee stacked with loyalists, cementing his place as the country’s most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

Shanghai Communist Party chief Li Qiang, 63, followed Xi onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People as the new leadership team was introduced, meaning he is likely to succeed Li Keqiang as premier when he retires in March.

The other members of the seven-man Standing Committee, China’s top governing body, are Zhao Leji and Wang Huning, who return from the previous committee, and newcomers Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi. Li Qiang is also new to the Standing Committee.

All are perceived to have close allegiance to Xi, 69, who was also re-appointed on Sunday as chairman of the Central Military Commission.

“An abnormally lopsided victory for one faction, which is rare in the tradition of the Communist Party, in the past there would be a rough balance of power,” said Willy Lam, senior fellow at US think tank the Jamestown Foundation.

“It means there won’t be any checks and balances. Xi Jinping also has total control over the larger Politburo and Central Committee,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was quick to congratulate Xi. “On behalf of the entire Pakistani nation, I congratulate President Xi Jinping on his reelection as CPC General Secretary for the 3rd term,” the premier said on Twitter.

“It is a glowing tribute to his sagacious stewardship and unwavering devotion for serving the people of China.”

The unveiling of the Standing Committee and the larger 24-member Politburo comes a day after the closing of the ruling Communist Party’s 20th Congress, where amendments were added to the party charter aimed at cementing the core status of Xi and the guiding role of his political thought within the party.

The Standing Committee lineup is further confirmation that Xi’s grip on power is undiminished by the events of a tumultuous year, including a sharp economic slowdown, frustration over his zero-Covid policy, and China’s increasing estrangement from the West, exacerbated by his support for Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

“In terms of policymaking, it does mean that there is likely to be more deference to Xi Jinping’s own views about how to move the country and the economy forward,” said Alvin Tan, head of Asia FX strategy at RBC Capital Markets in Singapore.

“I can imagine that zero-Covid policy is likely more entrenched, and there’s going to be further push on this issue of common prosperity and the like,” he said.

As expected, the new line-up does not include a clear successor to Xi, the son of a Communist Party revolutionary who has taken China in a more authoritarian direction since rising to power in 2012.

The unveiling comes a day after Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, seen by analysts as relative moderates that were young enough to serve longer in top decision-making bodies, were excluded from the wider Central Committee. Both have ties with the Communist Youth League, a once-influential group that experts say has lost power under Xi.

Xi laid the groundwork to rule beyond a decade when he eliminated the two-term limit on the presidency in 2018. His term as president is likely to be renewed at the annual parliamentary session in March, where the next premier will also be officially named.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

China's Xi Jinping has been filmed accusing Justin Trudeau of leaking meeting details, days after they held talks at the G20 summit in Bali.

President Xi told the Canadian PM, via a translator, this was inappropriate and accused him of lacking "sincerity".

He was likely referring to reports that Mr Trudeau discussed alleged Chinese espionage and interference in Canadian elections at the sit down.

The talks, which happened behind closed doors, were the pair's first in years.

In the footage, filmed by journalists at the now finished gathering of world leaders, President Xi and Mr Trudeau can be seen standing close to each other and conversing via a translator.

"Everything we discussed has been leaked to the papers and that is not appropriate," the Chinese leader told Mr Trudeau in Mandarin.

It captures a rare candid moment of President Xi, whose image is normally carefully curated by Chinese state media.

After smiling and nodding his head, the Canadian PM responded by saying "in Canada we believe in free and open and frank dialogue and that is what we will continue to have".

"We will continue to look to work constructively together but there will be things we disagree on," he added.

Before Mr Trudeau could finish, President Xi cut his counterpart off and asked that he first "create the conditions" - eventually shaking Trudeau's hand and walking away.

The short but revealing exchange highlighted tensions between China and Canada, running high since the detention of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018 and Beijing's subsequent arrest of two Canadians on spying charges. All three were later released.

But tensions recently resurged following the arrest of Yuesheng Wang, a public utility worker at Hydro-Quebec, who was charged with espionage.

Mr Wang "obtained trade secrets to benefit the People's Republic of China, to the detriment of Canada's economic interests," Canadian police said in a statement.

At the time, Mr Trudeau and President Xi were at the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.

BBC

 

[daytrader]

After Snubbing US, Middle East's Red Carpet for China's Xi Jinping
China confirmed the trip on Wednesday morning, a day after Xi Jinping led the nation in mourning the death of former leader Jiang Zemin on the heels of recent protests against his Covid Zero policy.

Two months after snubbing US President Joe Biden's pleas for oil, Saudi Arabia is rolling out the red carpet for his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
Xi will visit Saudi Arabia for several days starting Wednesday, during which he will take part in a regional summit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Arab leaders, the kingdom's SPA state news agency said, promising agreements worth some $30 billion. Energy and infrastructure deals will top the agenda, according to two people briefed on the plans.

China confirmed the trip on Wednesday morning, a day after Xi led the nation in mourning the death of former leader Jiang Zemin on the heels of recent protests against his Covid Zero policy. The summit will give both Xi and Prince Mohammed a chance to showcase the Gulf's deepening ties with Beijing, underlining just how far US-Saudi relations have sunk.

"This visit is the culmination or crowning of a deep strengthening in relations over the last few years," said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator and advisory board member for the kingdom's Neom megaproject. "The US is concerned about this but cannot slow this already strong relationship down."

A low point in US-Saudi ties came in October when Biden accused Riyadh of allying with Russia on oil production cuts, and vowed "consequences." However, relations have been fraying for some time as the US shifts its global focus to the competition with China.

It's a decade since the US was Riyadh's biggest trading partner, and in that time not only has China leapfrogged America, but so too have India and Japan. Total US-Saudi trade shrank from some $76 billion in 2012 to $29 billion last year.

That's in part because the US shale industry means it no longer imports much Middle East oil; China is Saudi Arabia's top crude customer now - and regional oil exporters will be keen for information on China's plans for lifting Covid restrictions.

Yet Washington has also riled Saudis with its attempts - now all but dead - to return to the nuclear deal with Iran, a regional Saudi rival, while Riyadh's powerful alliance with Russia and other oil exporters in OPEC+ is another point of friction.

"For the Arab states, it's about alternatives, in all possible ways"

"It's high time we stopped seeing this as being purely about economic and commercial relations," said Cinzia Bianco, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, who focuses on the Gulf. "For the Arab states, it's about alternatives, in all possible ways."

Beijing has been picking up some of that economic and political slack.

In the past six months, Janes IntelTrak Belt & Road Monitor reported a surge of activity across the Middle East by US-blacklisted telecoms firm Huawei Technologies Co.; that State Grid Corporation of China was looking at investment opportunities in regional electricity transmission and distribution; and Saudi Arabia and China agreed to coordinate their investments in Belt and Road Initiative participating nations.

The countries will sign pacts for the further "harmonization" of the Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia's own Vision 2030 development plan, the SPA agency said.

Talks on a free trade agreement between China and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council are entering a "final stage," China's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Zhang Yiming said last month. He even mentioned a memorandum on moon exploration signed with the UAE.

Gulf states view the US as an increasingly unreliable partner and "want to capitalize on a new global multipolar landscape that presents fresh opportunities," said Elham Fakhro, a research fellow at Exeter University's Centre for Gulf Studies. In doing so, they might "strengthen their own bargaining power with the United States," she said.

Still, the US maintains a significant troop presence in Saudi Arabia and across the region, and there are limits to how far Gulf states will look elsewhere.

It's seen as unlikely, for example, that Saudi Arabia will move forward with the idea of accepting yuan payments instead of the dollar for oil, the two people briefed on the preparations said, referring to reports earlier this year. Diplomats and analysts said at the time the reports should be seen as a political message to the US, rather than the kingdom's plans.

Whereas Donald Trump chose Riyadh for his first overseas trip as president, Biden came to office pledging that he'd treat the crown price as a pariah for his part in the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

But faced with high inflation going into the midterm elections, he swallowed his pride and visited the kingdom in July seeking help to lower global oil prices.

He appeared to make some headway, expressing optimism Riyadh would take steps to comply - only for Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ to then announce production cuts. A furious Biden said it was time for the US to rethink the relationship.

Buoyed by higher oil revenues spurred by Russia's war, the Saudi crown prince has cast the kingdom as a growing power capable of standing up to US pressure.

China has cheered on from the sidelines: Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the kingdom's "independent energy policy" and efforts to stabilize the international energy market after meeting with his Saudi counterpart in October. Wang also thanked Riyadh for "long-term and firm support" on matters including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights - all touchstone issues for the US.

China Praises Saudi Arabia's 'Independent' Energy Policy

"There's a real synergy to the relationship," said Jonathan Fulton, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council focused on China's relations with the Gulf.

Whereas "the US keeps talking about a great power game" and focusing on counterterrorism, China has been helping address domestic concerns. The upshot is it's less about China trying to replace the US than the two countries playing completely different games when it comes to the Middle East, he said.

Since China held its last biennial dialog with Arab states in July 2020, Saudi Aramco revived discussions to build a multi-billion dollar refining and petrochemicals complex in China.

Saudi Arabia started working with Huawei to develop artificial intelligence systems and the kingdom's using Chinese expertise to make its own drones. It's even been reported to be manufacturing ballistic missiles with China's help, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment.

China is now Saudi Arabia's top crude customer. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

It's not all one way, though. High oil prices hurt China as well as the US, and Beijing nurtures close relations with Iran, a key Saudi rival. China cannot just replicate US military support for the region.

The US isn't asking countries to choose between Washington and Beijing but asking them to be "mindful" of the relationships they're developing, Derek Chollet, a counselor at the US State Department, told a briefing in Kuwait ahead of Xi's visit.

"Our assessment is that China, in its efforts to build relations in this region, does not have an interest in building mutually beneficial partnerships," he said.

NDTV

 

[daytrader]

China, Saudi Arabia strengthen partnership on energy, defence
Beijing and Riyadh say they will ‘firmly support each other’s core interests’ during an official visit by President Xi Jinping to the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia and China have reaffirmed their cooperation on the global oil market and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs during a visit aimed at deepening strategic relations, at a time when Washington’s ties with Riyadh appear increasingly frayed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman signed a series of strategic deals, including one involving Chinese tech giant Huawei, since the official state visit began on Wednesday.

In a joint statement on Friday, the two sides said they “exchanged views regarding ways to reinforce and develop comprehensive strategic partnership relations between the Kingdom and China”.

It stressed the principles of sovereignty and “non-interference”, while affirming the importance of a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict.

In a nod to Gulf security concerns over Iran, another oil supplier to China and with whom Beijing has good ties, they agreed on the need to “strengthen joint cooperation to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme”, and for Tehran to respect “principles of good-neighbourliness”.

The Chinese leader said his visit, during which he will meet other Gulf oil producers and attend a wider summit with Arab League countries on Friday, heralded a “new era” in relations.

“China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia and Arab states to turn the two summits into milestone events in the history of China-Arab relations and China-GCC relations, and bring these relations to new heights,” the foreign ministry cited Xi as saying.

Qatar’s emir, Kuwait’s crown prince, and the presidents of Egypt, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia and Mauritania are among rulers attending, alongside leaders and prime ministers of Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan and Lebanon.

Internal affairs of the Kingdom’
Riyadh reaffirmed its adherence to the “one-China principle”, by which the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

China is determined to forestall Taiwanese independence and bring about the island’s unification with the mainland. Western governments including the United States recognise the PRC as the sole legal government of China, but simultaneously maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan.

In turn, Beijing “affirmed its opposition to any actions that would interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

The two sides stressed the importance of stability in world oil markets, the statement said, and agreed to explore investment opportunities in the petrochemicals sector, as well as sources of renewable energy.

China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil, for which it is heavily reliant on Saudi Arabia.

They also welcomed the involvement of Saudi companies in various energy and investment partnerships within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project that would stretch from East Asia to Europe that enhances “the Kingdom’s location as a regional center for Chinese companies”.

Deepening ties
Beijing has been cementing ties with Gulf states over the past few years, but its foreign ministry this week described Xi’s trip as the “largest-scale diplomatic activity between China and the Arab world” since the PRC was founded.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is looking at the world’s second-largest economy as a critical partner in his sweeping Vision 2030 agenda and ambitious megaprojects including the futuristic $500bn megacity Neom.

The Saudis are also pushing to diversify their economic and political alliances at a time when relations with their long-term US allies appear roiled by disagreements.

US President Joe Biden travelled to Saudi Arabia in July in an attempt to convince the Saudis to raise oil production and lower gas prices at the pump, despite criticism from lawmakers in Washington over human rights concerns.

The Saudi-led OPEC+ in October agreed to cut oil production by two million barrels, which Biden’s administration viewed as a direct affront ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies have been defiant in the face of US pressure to break with fellow OPEC+ oil producer Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and to limit dealings with China, as they try to navigate a polarised world order with an eye on national economic and security interests.

Al-Jazeera

 

[MenInG]

Xi Jinping is set to deepen his control of China's government and economy, as lawmakers meet in Beijing to pass far-reaching reforms.

The National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, will confirm Mr Xi's third term as president, and the appointments of his top team.

They will also name a new premier, the second-in-command after Mr Xi, as the incumbent Li Keqiang departs.

The Two Sessions, as the meetings are known, are an annual affair.

But this year's sessions are particularly significant as delegates are expected to reshape several key Communist Party and state institutions.

They will also tighten control over bodies overseeing the finance sector and scientific and technology work, while "strengthening party-building work" in private businesses, according to state media.

The moves will likely further blur the lines between the Chinese Communist Party and the government, and consolidate the party's control of the private sector.

This comes amid an ongoing corruption crackdown which has seen a string of high-profile businessmen disappear in recent years. The latest person to go missing was one of China's top dealmakers in the tech sector.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

China's leader Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as president from the country's rubber-stamp parliament.

It follows a consolidation of power that has made Mr Xi, 69, China's most dominant leader in generations.

In the Chinese system of governance, the functions of the president are largely ceremonial.

Mr Xi's power comes from him being General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Confirmation of his third term as president had been widely expected. The naming of a new premier and various ministers in the coming days is considered more important.

The new appointees are all expected to be Xi Jinping loyalists. This includes Li Qiang, who is tipped to serve as Mr Xi's number two.

Mr Xi has solidified his rule as China reopens from his bruising zero-Covid policy that has fuelled anti-government protests.

The so-called Two Sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this week is closely watched as it provides a glimpse into China's direction in the coming years.

Since Mao Zedong, leaders in China had been limited to two terms in office. When Mr Xi had this restriction changed in 2018, it transformed him into a figure with a reach not seen since Chairman Mao.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heartiest congratulations to President Xi Jinping on his re-election for a third term as China's President. <a href="https://t.co/MDnU8xaghf">pic.twitter.com/MDnU8xaghf</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1634906614581829632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[daytrader]

Unsafe at the top: China’s anti-graft drive targets billionaires and bankers
Xi Jinping’s popular anti-corruption purges show trend to prosecute ‘tigers’ over lower-ranking ‘flies’

A moment of pity for the uber-wealthy. According to the Hurun Global Rich List, China has more billionaires than any other country. But it is also the place in which the monied must watch their back.

On Friday, Fu Xiaodong, a former senior official at China Development Bank, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for accepting 4.3m yuan (£503,466) in bribes during his tenure between 2007 and 2020. Days earlier, the former director of the supreme people’s court enforcement bureau was sentenced to 12 years in prison for accepting bribes worth 22.74m yuan (£2.65m). Meng Xiao was found guilty of abusing his position for financial gain for more than a decade.

That an official whose influence could be bought has been flushed out of the system is ostensibly a win for due process. But last week’s conviction came on the back of a string of investigations launched by China’s anti-corruption watchdog, as Xi renews his drive to clean out and control officials in the Chinese Communist party (CCP) – and beyond. “Intense scrutiny” has become the “new normal” in China, says Yuen Yuen Ang, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of a book on corruption in Chinese politics. “The campaign extends beyond fighting graft and into enforcing ideological conformity with the party line.”

Since Xi came to power in 2012, one of his flagship policies has been his anti-corruption drive. Xi sees corruption as an existential threat to the CCP and has made no secret of wanting to root out “tigers” (senior corrupt officials) and “flies” (low-level cadres). In Xi’s first year in power, more than 180,000 officials were disciplined, compared with about 160,000 the year before. In the next decade, 3.7 million cadres were punished by the party’s anti-graft watchdog, including about 1% of national and provincial leaders.

...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...-graft-drive-targets-billionaires-and-bankers

 

[Theanonymousone]

China has progressed beyond the wildest dreams of the West in the past 25 years. Everything from Economy, Infrastructure, Prosperity, and Geopolitics - you name it.

In exchange for what? Not having the freedom to question the government? Who needs to when citizens have money in their pockets. Totally worth the sacrifice.

Only the West weep about the right to criticise their government, and pontificate this said right, but nothing comes of it, just insecurity conditioning.

Now just go compare the standards of the West in the past 25 years with China. The West has declined in every aspect and facet - economy, politics, and society - and China owns most of the Western debt anyway.

This is what you call progress, authority from the top, not like in the West where on leader comes in and overturns the work of the previous leader or debating for decades on whether a 3rd runway should be built, or liberals trying to overturn a democratic result.

Democracy is overrated when it comes to progress. Heck, even the UK progressed through its looting of the world, that too on the command and control of the Monarchy. and not democracy.

But hey, Western decline is a price worth paying because poodles can question their government in the West and feel good about it.

I feel this response have points made out of context in may ways

1. Sacrificing freedom for economic upliftment - This may be the choice for people from poor economic backgrounds but not for the West. They have ample wealth to not care about putting food on the plate but enough time to fight for human rights. May be even many Indians will trade freedom for more economic prowess but for me, Freedom is a priority too!

2. China holding the debt - Western sovereign bonds have one of the most stable returns in the past decade. Its not like they are doing it for free. It is a positive thing for China, but does it put the West in negative light?? If not, this is a better example for the robustness of US bonds / other western sovereign bonds

3. Democracy is overrated - You can say China thrived despite not being a democracy, but leaving the West, even countries like South Korea, Singapore etc were largely successful being democracies. Infact the most horrible situation to be in is (POOR + AUTHORITARIAN) regimes.

4. Collapse of the West - This a delusional hyperbole IMO. Growth may be limited as they are very much ahead in the curve, but you cannot call them being on decline.

I agree on the fact that, most western civilizations gained wealth through their colonization.

 

[Hassan A]

US President Joe Biden has said he is "disappointed" that his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping plans to skip the upcoming G20 summit in India.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent Beijing at the summit in New Delhi this week, Reuters reported.

"I am disappointed... but I am going to get to see him," Mr Biden told reporters on Sunday, but did not say when that meeting may take place.

The two leaders last met at the summit in Indonesia last year.

Mr Xi had earlier said he would travel to the Indian capital for the meeting - but China's foreign ministry would not confirm his attendance when asked to do so at a regular press briefing on Thursday.

News reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with preparations for the annual meeting, say Mr Xi does not plan to attend this year's summit.

This comes amid worsening relations between China and India. Among other things, the two countries are facing off against each other along their disputed border in the Himalayan region.

 

[WicketLord]

His anti corruption policy has benefited China and today almost no corruption in China. He also initiated the Belt and Road Initiative

 

[Cricket Warrior]

They were trusted and favoured by Xi Jinping. Now, they seem to be vanishing.

In recent months, the disappearances of several high-ranking Chinese officials have sparked intense speculation over whether Mr Xi is embarking on a purge, particularly of those linked to the military.

The latest person who appears to have fallen from grace is defence minister Li Shangfu, who has not been seen in public for some weeks now.

While his absence was not seen as unusual at first, scrutiny intensified when a top US diplomat pointed it out. A Reuters report later said General Li, who used to oversee arms procurement for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), was being investigated over military equipment purchases.

His "disappearance" comes weeks after two top officials in the Rocket Forces - the military arm that controls nuclear missiles - and a military court judge were removed.

Fresh rumours are now circulating that some cadres in the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) central military commission that controls the armed forces are also being investigated.

Little to no official explanation has been given for these removals, apart from "health reasons". In this void, speculation has blossomed.

The main theory is that authorities are cracking down on corruption in the PLA.

Do China's recent military purges spell trouble for Xi Jinping?

Military officials are disappearing - is this a sign of instability or Xi Jinping's strength?

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

President Xi Jinping has given a great gift of hope to the people of Syria

 

[FearlessRoar]

Spokesperson CHN: President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Global Sustainable Transport Forum. Building a sustainable transport system that is safe, convenient, efficient, green, economical, inclusive & resilient is a major move to support high-quality economic & social development.

 

[shortbread]

A very important meeting in the global context, the two biggest economies by far as well as the two most powerful nations meet in the US.

Xi Jinping arrives in the US as his Chinese Dream sputters - BBC​

When Xi Jinping stepped off his plane in San Francisco yesterday for the Apec summit, it was in circumstances very different to the last time he landed on American soil.

When he was wined and dined by Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago five years ago, Mr Xi was in charge of a China still on the ascendancy.

It had a buoyant economy outperforming forecasts. Its unemployment rate was among the lowest in years. While consolidating his power for a second term, Mr Xi proudly pointed to China's "flourishing" growth model as something other countries could emulate.

By then, cracks were already appearing in what he calls his "Chinese Dream". They have only widened since then.

One view is that because of this, Mr Xi is in a more vulnerable negotiating position this time, though expectations of major breakthroughs are low.

After an initial bounce back, the post-Covid Chinese economy has turned sluggish. Its property market - once a key driver of growth - is now mired in a credit crisis, exacerbating a domestic "debt bomb" that has ballooned from years of borrowing by local government and state-owned enterprises. Many of these issues could be attributed to China's long-predicted structural slowdown finally making itself felt - painfully.

In the last two years crackdowns on various sectors of the economy, as well as prominent Chinese businessmen, has caused uncertainty. This has recently widened to include foreign nationals and firms, heightening worries in the international business community. Foreign investors and companies are now moving their money out of China in search of better investment returns elsewhere.

Youth unemployment has skyrocketed to the point that officials no longer publish that data. A fatalistic ennui is spreading among young Chinese, who talk about "lying flat" or leaving the country in search of better prospects elsewhere.

Mr Xi is also struggling with issues within his carefully-constructed power structure. The unexplained disappearances of key members of his leadership team and military top brass could be seen as either signs of pervasive corruption or political purges.

Some observers have contrasted China with the US, whose economy has weathered the post-Covid recovery better. Until recently, Americans may have feared the day China would overtake them as the world's largest economy, but now analysts doubt if this will happen.

Full article:

Xi Jinping arrives in US as his Chinese Dream sputters

Economic woes put the Chinese leader in a more vulnerable negotiating position on this visit.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Securing History: Beijing to Restore Hazardous Section of the Great Wall

In an endeavor that speaks to the preservation of history and commitment to public safety, Beijing authorities have announced plans to commence repair and archaeological work on a hazardous section of the Great Wall. This section, dating back to the Ming Dynasty era (1368-1644), is known for its deteriorating condition, posing serious risks to visitors, and diminishing the integrity of this cultural heritage.

Mending the Cracks of History

The restoration project, slated to begin in April this year, is expected to not only stabilize and conserve the structure but also potentially uncover historical artifacts and insights as the archaeological work progresses. The section in question, the perilous Jiankou Great Wall, is about to undergo the fifth phase of restoration efforts. The upcoming restoration will cover six watchtowers and connecting walls spanning a length of 915 meters.

A Commitment to Cultural Heritage

Beijing’s commitment to protecting its cultural heritage is evident in its extensive efforts, with nearly a hundred Great Wall protection projects undertaken since 2000. This ongoing endeavor underscores the city’s dedication to maintaining the historical and cultural significance of the monument while ensuring its safety and accessibility for future generations.

Expanding the Scope of Restoration

In addition to Jiankou, the Huairou District plans to repair a section of the Mutianyu Great Wall, with completion scheduled for October 2024. This expansion of restoration efforts is a testament to the monumental task of preserving one of the world’s most significant architectural marvels. The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a symbol of China’s historical fortitude and architectural ingenuity. Its repair and preservation are critical to the ongoing narrative of China’s rich history and endur
ing legacy.

Source: BNN

Securing History: Beijing to Restore Hazardous Section of the Great Wall

Beijing authorities have announced plans to commence repair and archaeological work on a hazardous section of the Great Wall. The restoration project aims to preserve the structure and potentially uncover historical artifacts.

bnnbreaking.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Tough talks ahead as China's Xi Jinping touches down in Paris for European trip​

President Xi Jinping has arrived in France for his big trip to Europe - it's been five years since his last visit and EU-Chinese relations have hit a rocky road.

There's also been the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and now a global trade battle is brewing.

For President Xi, this European tour is as much about trying to get the relationship on an even keel as projecting Chinese power to the world.

France is first on the red carpet itinerary.

Xi Jinping is meeting President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Russia will be a difficult issue for them all.

Europe and the US say China is sending "dual-use" items like semiconductors and machine tools to Russia, enabling it to continue to build weapons and wage war in Ukraine.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has put China on notice, saying if it does not "address the problem" the US will. China says it is free to trade with any country it chooses.

Few people therefore expect any great breakthroughs on the Ukraine war from the Chinese president's Euro tour.

On Tuesday, Mr Macron plans to take Xi to the Pyrenees, but a brewing trade war will also loom large over any mountain walks.

At the centre is China's insatiable appetite for manufacturing electric vehicles.

Its EV industry has caught up and overtaken the West.

It produces them at a scale and price that Europe's big car producing countries, such as France and Germany, can't compete with.

Ursula von der Leyen has accused China of "over-capacity", sending EVs, batteries and solar panels to Europe at cut-throat prices.

China says the world needs its green energy technology and has warned Europe against "protectionism" and imposing tariffs on its products. There are tough talks ahead.

After France, President Xi is heading to Serbia and Hungary - both of which have a warm relationship with China and Russia.

Tough talks ahead as China's Xi Jinping touches down in Paris for European trip

Mountain walks in the Pyrenees with President Macron will make for a good photo op but can't mask key tensions between China and many European nations.

news.sky.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

The relations between China and France shows how actually East and West relations should be.