Seated in the center of the stage with his poker face on, China's leader Xi Jinping did not need to speak on the first day of the national Congress to stamp it with his power.
Instead, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Xi's nominal deputy, gave the annual report, as he does every year. He turned bright on a challenging year and described how China would recover from a destructive and protracted COVID-zero campaign.
Xi Jinping Tightens Grip on China
Li had already been replaced in his genuine deputy position of authority within the Communist Party's leadership by the time he gave his farewell speech as government premier. A new Li, Li Qiang, will be the number two leader responsible for achieving the upcoming year's objectives.
And these objectives demonstrate a growing emphasis on bolstering Xi Jinping's power so that he can lead China in an expanding conflict with the United States over technology and influence. Economically, the aim of 5% GDP growth over last year's lackluster performance is more modest than some anticipated, as per ABC.net.
Yet, China's era of "development at any cost" is long gone, and other goals are increasingly coming into focus. Technology, diplomacy, and domestic security are among the areas that may see significant budget increases in 2019. A special $2 billion fund is being established to assist semiconductor chipmakers, as China's tech industries - and, indirectly, the military - face increased limitations from the United States over purchasing the most advanced processors.
The United States opposes using American-designed semiconductors to enable Chinese firms and the Chinese military to compete against the United States. The funds are in addition to two state-backed funds that have poured tens of billions of dollars into chipmakers over the past few years, but sources indicate that Xi is contemplating a change owing to mixed outcomes.
Several of China's biggest technological triumphs, notably the creation of nuclear weapons in the 1960s, are attributed to the state's heavy arms. Yet sophisticated semiconductors, regarded as the most important technology of our time, are considerably more difficult.
During the National People's Congress (NPC), a meticulously orchestrated occasion featuring the announcement of a Xi supporter as the next premier, these problems will almost certainly be avoided. Until late last year, China maintained some of the world's tightest COVID-19 regulations, stifling economic and social life with a continual bombardment of testing demands, quarantines, and travel restrictions that Xi Jinping championed.
China's Economic, Health Struggles
In November, widespread dissatisfaction erupted into the most significant public rallies in decades, followed by the quick breakdown of the strategy and a whirlwind of illnesses and fatalities that were mostly ignored by authorities. After three years of commerce, employment, and even education being subservient to the government's need to eradicate the virus at any cost, the nation is still slowly emerging from the pandemic.
On the first day of the NPC, the assembled lawmakers will likely announce some of China's lowest economic growth targets in decades, according to analysts consulted by AFP. There needs to be more indication that Xi's position is in jeopardy since he has loaded the party's top bodies with loyalists and eliminated opponents in last year's Congress upheaval.
According to Christopher Johnson, president and CEO of China Strategy Group, rather than posing a danger to Xi's power, last year's demonstrations "provided him the escape route he was seeking."
Per Daily Mail, the Director of the SOAS China Center at the University of London, Steve Tsang, stated that Xi Jinping now had the opportunity to demonstrate his responsiveness to pressure. Yet, retired professor at the University of Oxford Vivienne Shue argued it was time for Chinese officials to reflect on 'what appears to be a cumulative record of failures' in responding to crises over the past several years.
According to state media accounts, delegates to the NPC - and the concurrent "political consultative conference" (CPPCC) - will also endorse a slate of personnel changes and address matters ranging from economic recovery to enhanced sex education in schools.
The gatherings provide a venue for delegates to promote pet initiatives, although they have limited influence over China's administration. This year's conference will occur amid deteriorating relations with Western nations, as per Hong Kong FP.
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