Communist Party of China Invokes Jiang’s Legacy in Call to Rally Round Xi’s Leadership

The Communist Party of China has been invoking the legacy of former leader Jiang Zemin in an effort to rally support for President Xi Jinping’s leadership, as the party prepares for a major overhaul. The latest example is an article in People’s Daily marking Jiang’s centenary anniversary.

Jiang’s nearly two-decade tenure was marked by significant economic reforms and China’s emergence as a global player. However, his legacy has been somewhat overshadowed since Xi came to power. Beijing is now seeking to revive Jiang’s memory and tap into the sense of stability he represented.

The article in People’s Daily portrays Jiang’s time at the helm as a period when China calmly responded to international emergencies and navigated economic and natural disasters. This portrayal may be seen as an attempt to bolster Xi’s leadership credentials, particularly given his penchant for centralized control and authoritarianism.

However, it is worth noting that Jiang’s era was also marked by significant liberalization efforts. The timing of this nostalgia-fueled campaign is telling, coming ahead of the key party meeting in October. This will be a critical juncture for China’s leadership team, with many expecting an overhaul of Xi’s inner circle and potentially even his own position.

The message being sent by Beijing is clear: unity and stability are paramount as the country faces growing global challenges. Beijing’s push for technological self-reliance is also part of this narrative. Accelerating efforts to boost China’s domestic tech capabilities will be crucial in the next few years, particularly as the US continues to assert its dominance in areas like artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Beijing’s drive for technological self-reliance is motivated by a desire to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen China’s position in the global hi-tech supply chain. However, this effort is fraught with challenges, not least of which is Beijing’s own history of stifling innovation through over-regulation and state control.

Xi’s vision for “Made in China 2025” has been met with skepticism by many observers, who question whether Beijing can truly deliver on its promises without sacrificing economic growth. The recent television documentary and commemorative events are just the latest examples of how Beijing uses nostalgic campaigns to rally support and draw a line under past controversies.

As we look ahead to the party meeting in October, one thing is clear: Xi’s leadership team will be facing significant pressure to deliver results – and fast. This push for unity and stability can be seen as an attempt by Beijing to reassert its dominance on the global stage.

With tensions rising between China and the US, and a growing sense of unease within Asia-Pacific nations about Beijing’s expanding military presence, Xi’s government is seeking to project strength and confidence. However, there are also risks involved in this strategy.

If Beijing becomes too focused on nostalgia and unity-building, it may overlook pressing issues like human rights and the rule of law – areas where China has been under increasing pressure from international critics. Furthermore, if Xi’s leadership team fails to deliver on its promises, it could exacerbate already-high levels of social unrest in China.

The legacy of Jiang Zemin may provide a convenient rallying cry for Beijing’s leaders, but it is what they do next that truly matters – not just for China, but for the global community as well. Xi’s leadership team has its work cut out for it: can they deliver on their promises and cement China’s position in the world?