Chinese have all the advantages. They are allowed to study, work and buy property in Western democracies. They face no repercussions as they take the knowledge gained at the US universities, labs and companies back to China. Silicon Valley is full of Chinese managers who hire Chinese nationals over others. Those that traded the prosperity of this country to this communist dictatorship are nothing short of traitors. The fact that this news is being treated as something that's normal should be disturbing to any freedom loving person.
7
What an incredible display of power and progress. China has been the greatest civilization for 17 of the past 20 centuries and it's well on its way to dominating this century.
No need to help it out at our expense but that's exactly what Obama, Clinton and the Dems wanted to with free trade and open borders.
China bars our best and biggest companies. Google is banned. Facebook is banned. NYtimes is banned. Apple is partially banned. While they have carte blanche to flood us with cheap imports and kill our jobs.
Unlike libs, Trump is against this. America first. China has Xi. But at last we have an equally strong leader. Should be interesting times.
4
They don't share the values of democracy, liberty, or fair trade.
This is the beginning of another Cultural Revolution.
Massacre and oercive stripping at the intervals of a few decades.
4
It is going to get harder and harder to reign in trade imbalances and truly compete with China. Our hope is to strictly enforce safety and quality standards, which have a hard time adhering to.
Their government has done a terrific job at creating an economy which is a mixture of global exports and consumer driven.
With a population that large, they can project growth for decades to come.
And this, from a communist country.
Mr. Xi projects a future of stability. and will be there for a long time.
Or at least until the economic feasting considerably slows.
1
This article was interesting to read because even after living there four and a half years myself, I had no idea how their government worked.
China's current leader Xi Jinping has recently confirmed that there is no successor to his presidency at this point and to some that seemed quite shocking. In my opinion it shouldn't pose a problem at the moment since his presidency ends in five years. For now though he has a committee called the Politburo standing committee that consists of people who are mostly in their 60s and help the president make important decisions. What puzzles me is that they usually have someone younger on the committee to be groomed into the next president but there is none at this time.
Some questions I have are
Is Xi afraid that a younger person on the committee could change the rest of the groups views and turn against the president?
Why has he decided against determining a predecessor early? Won't this affect him in the long run?
Will he make up a position to remain in some sort of power after he is done being president?
And how would he do it ?
Lastly, How did it feel for Xi when he was a predecessor? Was he ever worried his spot would be taken? And if it was how would that work?
2
we are all human and the same on planet earth, we dont need paranoia in govts globally...
In a tweet this afternoon, Trump congratulated XI "on his extraordinary elevation".
It is troubling and unsettling to hear a U.S. President congratulating a leader for acquiring even more power in a authoritarian state.
The fact that Trump has lavished praise on XI acquiring more power is not surprising, since Trump has been effusive in his admiration and respect for other authoritarian leaders while criticizing leaders of western democracies and traditional U.S. allies.
3
Xi and Mao are both great men and I marvel at their success and thank China for all the good things I have that come from there. China has lifted all boats worldwide and we have all gained because they have contributed so much everywhere they have gone. Bravo!
3
When I immigrated to the US almost 15 years ago, 9/11 was raw, wars had just started, unemployment was high, and folks in grad school were delaying their graduation because there were no jobs to be had. However even in those bleakest of times, I believed that if there's one place where I can succeed in life, it's here. I was correct. However, with the onset of Trump era, things have taken a turn for the worst. Although unemployment is at a all time low, stock market is soaring (how long is TBD), there's this feeling of uneasiness in US' subconsciousness. We may not admit, but America is no longer the land of endless opportunities, the new establishment governed by meritocracy, the shining city on the hill. My 15 year younger self would not come to the US in search of a bright future; he would probably look east - towards China and Southeast Asia. I'm in no way implying that China for instance is better than us, but the swing of the pendulum has no doubt started... thanks in large measure to Mr. Trump who in such a short time has taken away so much. Sad!
10
Xi Jinping poised to stay beyond his second term???
No surprise there.
Why should he leave the field now, just when the U.S. has handed him (and Russia) the world on a silver platter?
Donald Trump. Making America insignificant again.
12
It remains to be seen how long Xi Jinping can cement his grip on power and whether he has the omniscience or an omnipotence to deal with all the significant challenges that China is facing.
So far most Chinese choose not to question the Communist Party's legitimacy and demand more freedom because they are satisfied with the government’s economic performance - they accept material gains instead of a political voice. Xi has been good for the Party but not so for growth, which has been fueled by debt. Is he capable of liberalising the economy while ruling with an iron fist.
The turbulences in the stock market in summer of 2015 and spring 2016 showed that the leadership had been inept at managing the volatility. It moved aggressively to rein in the crisis, which was caused by investors - many of whom with little education, even less trading experience and whose stock market adventure was funded by borrowing. They were encouraged to invest in Chinese stocks, even though economic growth and company profits were weak.
Xi became popular becaue he promised fighting corruption and eradicating poverty, delivering justice etc. His relentless crackdown on freedom of expression may just affect a small community that dares to speak out. It's a matter of time when the rest of the population may want more than just economic growth.
10
It’s unrealistic to expect people to rock the boat when they have more to lose than gain. But CCP’s hold on China might be a house of cards, and one big financial disaster might reshape the country.
4
For most of the past 2200+ years China has been a socioeconomic political educational scientific technological superpower. I spent 2 weeks traveling across China in 1998 and 3 weeks in 2012. The people were very friendly and curious about America and Americans. And I saw two different China's. But both were a dazzling! Yet the dragon has many flaws and weaknesses.
China has an aging and shrinking ethnic Han population. Due to the one -child policy and a preference for males there is a massive male gender imbalance. The 1.3 billion Chinese live in a country the size of the United States which a quarter of China's population. There are 50+ non-ethnic Han groups in China numbering about 110 million who are discriminated against by the Han. The air, land and water of China is seriously polluted. On a per capita basis China's #2 GDP is # 80 near Bulgaria. China moved "only" 300 million people into the middle class.
China spends 1/3rd America on it's military. China has few true allies and alliances. China lost 30 million dead to Japan during world War II. And 5-10 million Chinese died during The Great Leap Forward of Mao Zedong. While the Cultural Revolution abomination harmed hearts and minds
China is Sub-Saharan Africa's #1 trading partner. In it's quest for natural resources and strategic geographic positioning China is rising in influence in power. The construction crane could be the national bird of China.
3
China and Russia have their respective countries' most able and informed leaders ever.
The US has its stupidest and most ignorant leader ever.
As a sexagenarian, I am glad that I probably won't live long to see China and Russia bury the US in the trash heap of history.
16
For Jay, as another sexagenarian, I suggest that you might want to temper your "doomsday" scenario for our nation as compared to China and Russia. Russia already certainly has deep-set problems that have only been temporarily papered over by its increased oil-based revenues, including a serious decline in population and rapidly aging workforce. China has certainly taken a far more favorable course over the last 20 years and has made dramatic economic, social and technology advances affecting major portions of its population (although large elements are still left out). But realizing that China has almost 4-times larger population than the US, and an ancient history that includes past centuries when they were the dominate force in Asia, what we see now is realistically a natural rebalancing of regional and world impact between China and a much younger nation that dominated the global environment as the one major country that survived World War II without major internal damage. Maybe this is another perspective that does not require "trash heaps" as the end point.
Chairman Mao, in all likelihood, caused more deaths than any other human being in history. He ordered all of China's citizens to melt all their metal possessions in backyard furnaces and give it to the government. This idiotic policy led to the famine of 1959-62, in which at least 40 million people died.
It is amazing that China still honors Mao. It is even more amazing that Xi Jinping, who has never caused any mass murders, wants to link his name and reputation to Mao.
Mao' mummy is still in Tiananmen Square. Mao's photo is still at the entrance to the Forbidden City. Why have China's leaders chosen to honor a moron who killed so many Chinese citizens?
7
The Communist Party, in the past in the present, relies on controlling information. Most contemporary Chinese people do not know their own history. They think of Mao as their George Washington. The Chinese are acculturated to “eat bitterness.” While the Japanese killed 330,000 Mao’s policies lead to the starvation of millions. Nationalism is a global mindset that trumps humanism.
7
The world is entering unseen territories on several fronts. I hope it is for the best.
4
Xi, selected by the leadership of CCP using a system that selects from the best, brightest (and so what, among the princelings).
Trump, self selected, self promoted, son of a millionaire, expert in "art of the deal," master of tax avoidance and bankruptcy...and congenital liar.
Which system best serves the people of their respective countries?
3
Trump is not self-selected. Republicans chose him to be their nominee out of 17 candidates: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/2016-presidential-...
DT selected himself to be a candidate and self promoted himself until he was the nominee.
1
China, a perfect example of learned helplessness.
1
Interesting to note that none of the 7 Standing Committee members is bald.....I guess Mr. Xi places bald men and women as anathema to ruling......
1
Chinese men have a much lower prevalence of baldness at middle age compared to whites and Middle Easterners.
1
We once had FDR at the helm. Now of course we deem 8 years as it. Of course it is questionable, if we ever had another FDR. Regan is admired and I surmise Presidential Historians are still sorting out his ability to pull the country together . With that said, he had Alzheimer's, probably symptoms while still in office. Even Obama with his great oratory capabilities, and sermons from the mount, it is questionable if he would qualify for more than 8 years in the fish bowl. Our Democracy is simply too messy to hold any leader in esteem. We wish for it, and have been sadly disappointed since Regan. Russia and now China have decided and will have continuity we don't have.
The NY Times gives a balanced analysis of China’s new leadership cycle and a hint of the future. China’s stable transition is a great model for all - it was short, peaceful, and with no outside interference. If China can de-pollute itself and help those passed by, it can attain the global status it seeks. Xi himself can eclipse Mao, Deng, and claim the respect of all, if his team can stop climate change and deliver on prosperity – goals that everyone seek. The line-up looks capable of maintaining China’s rise.
6
The most significant thing about this article is how few people seem to have read it (judging from the time it has been up, the number of comments and the number of recommends.) Unfortunately, readers seem to much prefer the fluff, political soap opera, and gossip articles, and thus, when there is the inevitable serious conflict with China, will be in no position to develope an intelligent, effective policy, bereft of understanding of China as they will be. Given that our political leaders seem no more attuned to pay serious attention, and our business leaders are simply self-serving, America may well face a rocky road, especially in the Pacific, this coming decade.
7
Not much commented on is how China is copying and improving US military systems for force projection. In particular China now has a strong and growing navy and is building large numbers of new large ship types designed to successfully fight the US Navy. China is close to equaling the US Navy and current build rates will soon have China surpassing US naval power. They are rapidly building new type amphibious assault craft and Marine assault forces, for the first time giving them sufficient lift capacity to permit successfully invading Taiwan. Their growing naval strength is backed by rapidly growing highly accurate missile forces designed to swamp US fleet defenses with thousands of supersonic long-range anti-ship missiles and a large force of anti-ship ballistic missiles. The Chinese buildup is already to the point the US Navy cannot any longer expect to win if we attempt to defend Taiwan. Unless our new laser systems can be significantly upgraded and enter service soon we soon will not be able to oppose China in the waters near China without losing our entire fleet sunk with all hands.
1
Mostly true except the first part. They were buying from Russia for years. Most of the weapons improvements - especially the navy - is what they bought from Russia.
Their military build up is so their "century of humiliation" doesn't happen. That's why Xi became popular. That and his anti corruption campaign
I was thinking of the new ship types they are producing in now China: aegis cruisers, new destroyers, a new Chinese built carrier, with more planned, dozens of new amphibious landing craft they recently put into service ...the list goes on.
Emperors and emperor worship run deep in that national psyche.
Xi Jinping actually had to "eat bitterness" for years as a sent-down youth in some dreary rural area during the Cultural Revolution. The fact that he has set himself up now as a latter-day all-powerful Chairman shows that he learned nothing useful from the personal experience of absolute tyranny.
As Trump would say: "SAD!"
6
I believe you are right. Xi is a big disappointment.
2
Ironically, Donald Trump and his America First propaganda slogan have paved the way for China to take leadership in world affairs.
Incredibly, every area of US global leadership strength -- before Trump -- has now been reverted to China of President Xi Jinping in his 5 years as head of state.
From social cohesion to a predictable political system, a president with a vision of the future, respect for international accords, a dynamic economy, leading global trade/economic integration and a wider network of allies and partners.
For the moment, the US of Donald Trump is lost in a labyrinth created by a real estate mogul unfit/unqualified for being president. Meanwhile, China's Long March towards global leadership status in this new century goes on unhindered.
9
China is a paper tiger that is drowning in the biggest tide of private, public, state and national debt the world has ever seen. All current social success in China is from that debt - that's why Chinese nationals and millionaire billionaires are sneaking money overseas as quickly as possible. Xi has cracked down on this but he can only do so much. Too much cracking down and the whole rotten edifice comes crashing down behind it.
The old Chinese proverb is "May you live in interesting times." Well, with the US Fed tightening and ending quantitative easing, hold on to your hats, we're definitely there.
2
Xi and his lieutenants control the pedals and levers of the economy. They have faced many obstacles - black markets, poisonous debt, stock market crashes, and whatever. They have nimbly steered clear of what everybody else thinks is a looming catastrophe. The fall of Wang Qishan, the economist turned corruption czar, may or may not have an effect.
2
That is rubbish. Private citizen and national debt are way below most first world nations. Corporate debt is another matter. A lot of that has to do with the lack of maturity in equity markets. Their bank reserve standard are more stringent than ours. Talk radio pundits are not the place to get economic and financial information
5
@SMC
China is not a paper tiger alluding to the Mao Ze Dung era. They are so much smart to diversify its resources to invest overseas. Donald ideology is retrograde and extinct like his senile mind.
2
How far can they go in pursing and propagating pure materialist existence without causing problems to others who do not aspire to exist in the same way as they do in PRC?
1
Let's say a few more milleniums - it's a long, long history of devotion to material prosperity.
1
Xi Jinping is a tyrant, pure and simple, and he is extremely dangerous because, unlike our own bumbling tyrant wannabe, he knows what he is doing. China under Xi continues to grow their military power and enhance their soft power through strategic investments around the globe. Their efforts to make all of the South China Sea into Chinese territorial waters are just a taste of what the future holds for a world that will be confronted with a continually ascending autocratic China.
5
Thinking about the range of articles on the Chinese Congress, what is saddening is that Xi JInping repeatedly made clear how humanistic a vision of Chinese development was being offered in the Congress. Inclusive of the Chinese people, presenting opportunities for development beyond China and thoroughly peaceful in intent.
Where the New York Times explained that America has troops in an astonishing 172 countries, China has only a military base in Djibouti and pays for and participates in United Nations peacekeeping missions. However while Xi could stress the Chinese commitment to peace in the report that was of too little concern to these writers to be included in summaries.
4
In the midnight hour, Xi cried, "Mao, Mao, Mao." (Stolen from a friend on social media.)
1
America is losing its leadership thanks to Trump. The US situation provide unprecedented opportunities for Europe and China.
For now, the leader of the free world in on holiday and the guy who was granted the leader's seat shows loser-tantrum by tweeting. But, We are on free fall. America cannot afford to stay behind for long.
4
American influence stared waning before Trump. I'm not sure where people get these ideas. He's hastened it - but the Iraq invasion started the down slide
1
Not too much diversity there. All men, all in their sixties, all hand picked by Xi.
I do not believe that will be a plus as China tries to modernize.
7
When China’s leader goes to international conferences, he is unlikely to shame his nation.
Versus
When the US “leader” goes to international conferences.... shame is sure to follow in his footsteps.
There is something to be said for a leader who, at the very least, has dignity and does not bring shame to a nation.
11
China may suffer from having too much power in one individual, more difficult to hold him responsible and liable, and prevent corruption. If human rights are being trampled now, imagine the not too distant future where the regime will not hesitate to sacrifice the individual for the group, for the social order disposed from above. That would postpone the wishes and wants of the Chinese people, unable to exercise their rich potential and be active contributors to world order and peace. And solidarity is a virtue to behold and, the more power, the more responsibility required to do the right thing.
2
Sounds a lot like the current Trump/GOP mindset about how to make America "great again".
China is not the U.S. and they have their own interests at heart.
Their accomplishments to date are impressive, but before we Americans accept the PR of goodness and balance that Xi projects, we must be wary that China likely plans for much of its market share in economic success and world influence will come at the expense of the U.S. market share. One need only look as far as China's support of North Korea all these years to see that China's success is surely not America's success. I wish it were different.
2
If you thought an imperial-acting US has been pretty bad since the end of World War II... Look out! I fear for the future of Taiwan, a far more democratic and liberal-minded region than the so-called People's Republic.
It's sad to see movements around the globe, some engineered by a small group, others by large swathes of private citizens, that embrace being a part of some kind of party-domination with a goal to crush anyone who doesn't follow lock-step. Individuals are being crushed everywhere.
10
Like Putin, Xi's nationalist rhetoric earned him a lot of support. Like in Russia, he turned back the clock and China has become more authoritarian than in the last 30 years. Now China will leap forward.
"We learn from history that we do not learn from history."
11
"History doesn't repeat itself, at best it sometimes rhymes" - Mark Twain
Long March Princeling Xi Jinping went from being the first Chinese Communist Party "core leader" since Deng Xiaoping to the first Chinese Party leader whose "thoughts" are enshrined in the CCP party constitution since Mao Zedong.
All that is left is the divine Mandate of Heaven of the Chinese emperors.
14
Actually, Blackmamba, there is one further thing after the Mandate of Heaven. That is when the Standing Committee reveals that Xi is, indeed, the real Dalai Lama.
2
Soon after the calamitous election of Trump, the world assumed that PRC would seize the moment. Sober adherence to order and discipline. But nope, PRC has shown the world that they are stuck with a virtual royalty, supported now by a collection of old men (only) who are probably as sycophantic toward Xi as Pence and Mnuchin are to Trump. China: you blew your chance!
1
Maybe someone could help me out but what type of government would the PRC be considered? My best guess would be an Oligarchy with the head leaders in the Politburo deciding who would rule next.
3
I believe they are going to be a social democracy with strong central leadership and highly regulated capitalism, Nick. It will take some time but I think that is where they will wind up. Hopefully, so will the rest of the world because I believe it's the way to relative peace in the world.
Robber Barons and thieves will always try to destroy civilization for their selfish reasons and average people must guard against letting them every single day.
11
Dictatorship.
2
there is no rational basis for njglea's thought.
go read some Chinese takes on Marxist Leninism for pity's sake. Thcho ese communist party members are not other versions of you but strangely enough have their own beliefs. If you will look you will find millions of characters expressing contempt for social democracy Which, the United States has infinitely more of than does the PRC.
But who cares? Just say stuff.
Everything wrong in modern China in a single picture. They could not find a single woman to stand with the Supreme Leader.
7
Hillary and the Clinton foundation were available.Any wonder they kept the females at bay. Look at Pelosi and Warren if you want confusion.
1
As with Putin, who has gradually become the 'soft Stalin' of the 21st Century Russia, China should welcome Xi Jinping as the budding erudite Mao Tse Tung of the 21st Century China.
It is noteworthy, how one country or another (Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Tanzania, the Philippines, Venezuela...) are all on the road towards authoritarian rule...
Is this the global trend for countries in the next decade?
4
All seven members of Politburo Standing Committee (notice there are no chairs) are between 60 to 64.
In America, Trump is 70, as is Hillary Clinton, Biden and Sanders are in their mid 70s and Diane Feinstein, running for another six year term is 84.
Macron was 39 when elected, and Austrian leader is 31, and leader of Scottish National Party is 40s.
We need to get rid of the gerontocracy afflicted America.
33
I see Xi has been reading covfefe's The Art of the Diversity Deal. A line of old men in their 60s...about as diverse as vanilla ice cream in a white ceramic bowl.
I'm surprised Xi didn't proclaim a cryptic "calm before the storm" next. Would go great with the illegitimate government and press bullying.
5
There is not even one woman in this photo among the leaders.
4
Hillary, Pelosi, and Warren, are on a as needed consulting basis.
Donald Trump must be so jealous. The effusive praise heaped up Xi makes the Trump Cabinet statements seem pathetic.
15
Xi is a despot and thug. He demonstrating this by his actions. China is the most corrupt country. A Chinese engineer who worked in high altitude rail road project at Tibet make $400/ a month buys a home in San Marino, CA which is worth more than a million USD. Send his family live there. How is it possible?
13
" .. How is it possible?"
Market-Leninism?
The new look of China will be first to fill the void left by Trump's withdrawal from decades of international leadership, then act where the US is failing to act. I can see the Chinese taking the lead in science, education, the global economy, the fight against global warming, and humanitarian aid. Thanks to Trump's shortsightedness China sees an opening and is using it to their advantage.
4
China has a very long history. Dissent and Harmony are the two big words in their lexicon. Mr Xi is well aware of that, I am certain. What the future holds for China is of course just as much of a mystery as our own despite what all prognosticators may believe. All of history shows this to be usual. I hope we can be friends.
6
China has a very long history but Chinese communist party and Maoist State is not very old. In its young history they have already sown the seeds of a demographic bomb about to explode in a decade. Now Xi is making his rule iron clad in order to manage the crisis of increasing dependents, combined with gigantic real estate bubble, and massive non-performing loans doled out by state banks to state enterprises. I believe a local war on Taiwan/South Korea/Japan is possibly on the cards to divert attention, grab resources, and/or use excess male population.
I believe one key issue the Reds understand is, they must manage over a billion souls.Keep them fed, clothed and with shelter. Both Putin and the Reds see how messy our system is, and will work together to exploit our weaknesses.
I wonder if these comparisons to Mao could be overblown. Not to say we shouldn't be concerned about Xi Jinping, but the comparison seem to suggest that Xi Jinping is really only a problem for the Chinese. Mao was not as large a player on the global stage as Xi, but he completely upended Chinese life. Xi Jinping has much more global ambitions, and is keenly interested in Chinese influence all over the globe, but particularly in Asia. Everyone in Asia knows that China will threaten their borders and slowly undermine their democracies. That is the real issue.
17
Nonsense.
The response to the excesses of Mao Zedong was Deng Xiaoping pushing for political and economic reforms. China is led by a term limited collective leadership of competent technocrats. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a euphemism for capitalism.
What democracies? What Asians? Russia? Pakistan? Vietnam? Indonesia? Bangladesh? Afghanistan? Ukraine? Mongolia?
China is looking for commerce and diplomacy with the world. America is invading and occupying Asian nations. Which nation is the threat to democracies? One Belt, One Road is all about making money for China.
3
Xi may appear powerful on the surface but packing the politburo with his acolytes is actually a sign of weakness. The Chinese bubble economy is the biggest the world has ever seen. By taking sole control, Xi has ensured he gets the sole blame when it spins out of control.
8
Uhhhhh
what?
So Mao got the sole blame for a few catastrophes that cost millions of innocent Chinese lives and so lost power? Ah. No. doesn't work that way. What is it political power grows out of? Three guesses.
As I live and breathe Americans just cannot stop knowing the truth of foreigners by gazing at themselves in the mirror. Enraptured at their own wisdom.
3
You don't know what you are talking about.
A term limited packed politburo disperses and deflects individual accountability.
What "Chinese bubble economy is the biggest the world has ever seen" are you referring to? Facts? Statistics? History?
China is trying to prove that you can have capitalism without a democracy or a republic.
Xi Jinping is no Donald John Trump.
2
This probably an ominous development for China. Xi will be only 70 when his term ends in 2023. The odds are that he will look to hold onto power and thereby subvert the collective style leadership which has pragmatically guided China's growth for the last three decades.
Yes that leadership might have made some mistakes, most notably on the environment, self enrichment, and in preferences given to State Owned Enterprises, but the collective was a stable hedge against a dictatorship over 1/3 of the world's population.
The collective leadership style helped mitigate the ego of any one person driving 1.3 billion people in the wrong direction. China paid a very steep price for that kind of leadership during the first 30 years of Communist Party rule.
Interesting to see that this article has been on line for hours, but I am the first to respond to it, as other Americans are too fixated on what our own soon to be dictator has tweeted today. While Trump distracts with Tweets, major changes are happening in the world and in the world's most populous country. When we wake up from this nightmare, we will find the USA position drastically reduced in the world.
1
Forget about Donald Trump, who knows close to nothing about international politics. How many US Senators or Congressmen know anything about the top leaders in China's 7-member Politburo Standing Committee and the broader 25-member council? China's governing team remains a "black-box' to except the China division experts in the State Department, a few reporters stationed in China, and China watchers in the academia. Whatever American politicians talk about China remains the usual hot-air and grievances.
What one gets reading the well researched reports from NY Times, after discarding the usual pessimistic warnings about potential problems, is that China leadership is united, focused, serious. As a group they are well-tested technocrats with proven track record in governing and mega project management. They are quite a different breed from the kind of politicians in USA and Canada whose trade is all about winning popularity contests called democratic elections. Chinese leaders are not lawyers, lobbyists, blowhards, actors, TV reality show personalities. That's saying a lot about the future fortune of these countries.
20
The swamp is too busy with Committee's, chasing yesterdays most popular witch hunt, to bother with the Reds. Old Hillary is still in the fray, while all the media and elites work to impeach the latest President. If anyone believes anything constructive will get accomplished you believe in the Easter Bunny. Hillary was sent packing, Jeb disappeared, ( wrong last name), Trump with no GOP support was elected, and Bernie Sanders is popular. Recipe for disaster. Where savior Obama's replacement is, is a well guarded secret.
1
“. . . Mr. Xi is said to be restoring the nation to global strength and leadership.”
China has never had global strength or leadership.
2
probably 200 years ago.
2
In 17th century, China and India contributed 25-30% each towards global GDP. In terms of engineering, arts, philosophy, mathematics, and sciences, east ruled until 16th century.
1
I guess you’ve never studied Chinese history.
Better leaders than anything that could come out of a democratic system. The last American president who could even hold a candle to Xi might be Eisenhower, and his election was only because of his leftover image from WWII.
Western media overplays the Mao comparison because they don't know anything about China. Nobody takes "Xi Jinping Thought" seriously. Most Chinese can't even define it as anything more than party boilerplate.
There's also no faction strong enough to cause a disorderly succession. The peaceful transition of power is not unique to democracies at all.
5
What, no continuing Leninist comment about democracies going in the dustbin if history? Must be a slow day.
1
There are probably a few more orderly graves in China this morning.
Major news and possibly the most import of the 21st century as the post war structure shifts from a Western centric power structure to an Asian and African centric power structure. Sad it's demoted to a foot note as Americans obsess over tweets, email servers, and phone calls to families.
4
Mr Xi has effectively carried out a coup against the emerging consensus leadership effort in China. He is now a dictator.
3
Mr. Xi may be a dictator, as the article seems to be saying, but he's in all likelihood not a Twittering nit wit. I doubt he poses the greatest threat to the future of mankind. That distinction belongs to the leader of what the Times would call the free world. I'm not sure which system can be called preferable on the available recent evidence: Chinese Politburo or governance by the billionaires of Citizens United. Surely our species could come up with something better than either of these. If we cannot, our species soon will be extinct.
26
I don’t think you can blame Trump on the billionaires. Clinton actually raised more money. Trump is the product of democracy turned idiocracy.
Mr. Trump's proposed tax cuts benefit overwhelming the billionaires. His slashing of the EPA benefits mostly the billionaires. I could go on, but I take it you get my point. The government acts in the interests of the billionaires whether Mr. Trump is in office or if some Democrat is in office. We have a government that works for the billionaires above all else, no matter the details of which person holds office.
1
Right on!
Mr. Trump is no Mr. Xi.
Mr. Xi and Mr. Trump both initially attained their prestige, privilege and corpulence the old-fashioned way by inheritance. But Mr. Xi rose on his own merit in the ruthless business of Chinese politics and governing. Trump played a businessman on TV. Trump has no governing nor political talent nor experience.
Mr. Xi is only 64 years old and is married to his second wife. And she was a famous media star in the People's Liberation Army. They have a daughter incognito at Harvard. There are more Chinese in American colleges and universities than any other nation.
Indeed, 35 year Mr. Kim of North Korea has more governing and political talent leading a nation state than 71 year old Mr. Trump and his Cabinet and White House staff combined.
1
Who is now still in doubt about the power grab by Xi Jinping and his circle of Chinese leaders? Like Putin in Russia, they are consolidating power to a small group of loyal followers which will dictate the future of China. They are ruthless and will do anything necessary to retain and grow their power and influence internally and internationally. Trust them at your own risk. Look for more expansionism into the China Sea and the Sea of Japan, as well as in Nepal.
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Further confirmation that Xi is now the most powerful man in the world.
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Many parts of the world, including the U.S., are moving towards Authoritarianism...whether Right or Left.
These are anxiety-generating, unnerving times.
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Xi has been consolidating power from the day he stepped into office. His campaign to get rid of corruption in China was simply a way for him to get rid of any opponents--nothing new really, something that has always been done in China over its long 5,000 yr history. It seems pretty obvious that Xi wants to be the new Mao and I am not surprised that no successor was named. I really did not expect there to be--it seemed pretty apparent even 3 years ago that this was someone who likes power and will do everything he can to hold on to it. He is essentially revitalizing everything Mao was about--nationalism to the core. Censorship and lack of free speech have not been so rampant and enforced for a long time.
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What I find is a China, having accomplished so much these last 40 years further committed to inclusive development. A China intent on ending poverty by 2020, which will be a stunning accomplishment. A China committed to development assistance for other peoples, a China committed to peace. Surely there are and will be difficulties in meeting the objectives of the new leadership. but the objectives strike me as those of a Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 and I am thoroughly pleased and hopeful.
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China is the oldest civilization still in existence today. According to Wikipedia, "The Xia dynasty of China (from c. 2070 to c. 1600 BC) is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records..."
Robber Barons from the "British Empire" tried to destroy China by flooding their country with opium during the trade wars and China survived. They have since thrived and are doing many things right for their people. WE all better pay attention as the same class of Robber Barons is trying to destroy The United States of America and democracies around the world right now.
An article in yesterday's Bloomberg News online says, "Xi’s theory builds on Deng’s “socialism with Chinese characteristics,” the party’s explanation for introducing capitalism into its communist political structure."
I am very hopeful that China will show the world the socially conscious way to incorporate capitalism into civilization. They are cracking down heavily on predatory capitalism, clawing back money that has been stolen and throwing the BIG Chinese Robber Barons out of power.
The United States of America lost our "right" to be a super power when
The Con Don was installed in OUR white house by the Robber Barons.
Good Luck to China. They may just be the ones who prevent WW3 and the destruction of western civilization as we know it.
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It seems to me that, while "throwing BIG Chinese Robber Barons out of power," the Communist Party is simply grabbing that power for itself. Under Xi, ever more industries are being centralized so that the robber barons can simply operate from under the shade of the government umbrella.
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Centralization is good for average citizens IF it is socially conscious, Mford. China has learned to take care of average and poor people to prevent war and uprisings. China has learned to temper greed and power for the greater good - just as FDR did.
I
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I share these thoughts and the analogy to Franklin Roosevelt is a fine analogy for me. I am hopeful for a China responsible to an entire people and pledging development and peace.
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