China’s President Xi Jinping been elevated to the position of the country’s unquestioned leader with the 19th conference of the Chinese Communist Party deciding to include his name and doctrines in the constitution. This move also indicates the direction that China will take in the future. Before Xi Jinping, the only name to be included in China’s constitution was that of Mao Zedong. This stresses the prominence of the position where Xi Jinping has now been placed.
The world was keenly waiting for the decisions of the 19th party congress of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. China is not only the biggest country in the world in terms of population (141 crore), but also is the second biggest economic power. The way Xi Jinping would rule neighbouring China for the next five years is crucial for India. In particular, India is hoping to see China ease its stern stance on the border issue, which has even led to war between the two neighbours.
This is the second time that a party congress has become a proclamation of the enormous powers that President Xi Jinping has amassed for himself. Because of having been elected the party’s general secretary, Xi can continue for another five years as president. It is strongly rumoured that Xi Jinping might change rules to enable him to continue in power for a third term. As the civilian head of the 25-lakh-strong Chinese army, Xi will continue to be chairman of the Military Control Commission. He is also the head of China’s finance commission. This means that Xi Jinping keeps with him autocratic powers at various levels.
Read more: Xi Jinping's political ideology added to China's constitution
Despite its fame as an economic power, democracy and civil rights are still denied in China. The rich-poor gap is widening, despite China’s claims that the country has been following ‘China-style socialism’ since 1982. This is a big crisis that the present-day China faces.
China is also plagued by rampant corruption. While stepping down as the party’s general secretary, Hu Jinatao had told the party congress in 2012 that corruption has assumed alarming proportions in China and that it would ruin the country and the party if not checked. It is alleged that Xi Jinping, even while battling corruption, is using the same battle as a weapon against his opponents. The international community is seriously concerned about China’s violations of human rights and intolerance towards dissidents ever since Xi Jinping came to power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s president Xi Jinping held talks at the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen in September 2017 after tension between the two countries over the Doklam issue had eased. It was great relief then that the two countries, which were on the brink of military confrontation, could arrive at an atmosphere of peaceful talks. The two leaders had decided to let bygones be bygones and to focus on matters beneficial to both the countries. All this notwithstanding, India has sufficient reason to raise its level of alertness since the ruler of a neighbouring country has amassed immense powers for himself.
