EVENTS

Abstract

Since 2012, Xi Jinping has steadily consolidated power. Assuming concurrently the post of Party General Secretary, President and Chairman, CMC, he has methodically proceeded to eliminate all vestiges of power of rival factions, most notably that of Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. He launched an intense anti-corruption campaign against the party and PLA and his regime has ruthlessly stifled dissent and muzzled critics. Also, while seeming to be liberal and attempting to ‘deepen’ political and economic reform, little has been done to reform the SOEs, one of the bastions of his support, and replace their leaders in decision making bodies.

He has appealed to the Chinese people to aggressively assert Chinese sovereignty. He has not demurred in taking matters to the brink with the US and Japan while dealing with territorial and sovereignty issues like the South China Sea, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Additionally, he has launched strategic initiatives like OBOR/BRI to expand the sphere of Chinese influence, clearly aimed to protect and enhance China’s self interest in territorial and economic terms, cleverly couched in policy statements expressing Chinese support to globalization and connectivity. In the challenging economic field where a slow-down in the Chinese economy has tested stability, law and order and undercurrent of dissent, he has astutely managed to set up international financial institutions like the AIIB.

On the ideological front, a very well-orchestrated campaign to project Xi as a leader of the likes of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping is underway. He is evolving a theoretical underpinning of his ambition by introducing the ‘Four Comprehensives’ and ‘Governing Concepts’. These may eventually transcend to ‘Xi Jinping Thought’ and find a place in the Party Constitution.

 About the Speaker

Mr. Krishan Varma is former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. During an illustrious career spanning 35 years, he held several key appointments within the country and abroad. He held sensitive assignments in politically and socially fragile militancy affected border regions of J&K and India’s northeast. His diplomatic assignments include postings to countries in South Asia, East Asia and the USA. He is the recipient of awards for Distinguished and Meritorious Service from the Prime Minister of India and several Commendation Letters for outstanding performance during his career. His areas of specialization are China, the Far East, Koreas, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific and Indian Ocean region.