China's Congress Begins. Focus Is On Hong Kong National Security Law, A Massive Increase In Defense Spending, And Reviving The Economy

South China Morning Post: Two Sessions 2020: China increases defence spending by 6.6 per cent but sets no GDP target, focuses on Hong Kong national security law

* China’s top leaders come together for condensed version of annual meeting after two-month delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic
* Government’s plans for reviving the economy, alleviating poverty and fiscal reform top the agenda

Beijing has announced an increase of 6.6 per cent in its military spending, but did not set a target for gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2020 as the National People’s Congress, China’s most important annual political event, got under way in Beijing on Friday.

Premier Li Keqiang said a sound legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong should be established and separatist activities seeking Taiwan’s independence should be resolutely rejected.

Delayed for about two months because of the global health crisis, this year’s congress is expected to be several days shorter than usual. The thousands of deputies taking part were all tested for the coronavirus and isolated ahead of the event, while most of the interactions between deputies and reporters are expected to take place online.

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WNU Editor: There is going to be a reaction from the world over this Beijing move on Hong Kong .... China set to impose new Hong Kong security law, Trump warns of strong U.S. reaction (Reuters).

More News On The Start Of China's Congress

National People's Congress: China's parliament meets for post-virus show of strength -- BBC
China promises funds to help economy, sets no growth target -- AP
China's premier warns of 'immense' challenges to economy -- France 24
China drops GDP goal, pledges higher spending as parliament starts -- Reuters
China doesn't set GDP target, promises more than $400b to prop up coronavirus-hit economy -- ABC News Online
China's Premier Li Keqiang pledges to 'ensure national security' in Hong Kong and Macau -- ABC News Online
China plans controversial security law in response to Hong Kong unrest -- France 24
China lawmakers to vote on new security law for Hong Kong -- DW
'This is the end of Hong Kong': China pushes controversial security laws -- The Guardian
China's leaders look to send message of control at annual political showcase -- CNN
China congress: Leaders face unprecedented pressure -- Al Jazeera

China's Annual Congress Opens On Friday

The Guardian: China prepares to stage annual congress – and pretence of business as usual

Delayed event to signal victory over coronavirus but country in unchartered economic and social territory

Thousands of delegates streaming into Beijing for China’s most important political event of the year have undergone nucleic acid tests and quarantines amid what state media have called “wartime measures”.

The National People’s Congress is usually a two-week affair of pomp and pageantry but this year’s event has been shortened and some sessions will be held over video link.

Railway stations have implemented extra screening for travellers coming to the capital and residential communities are meant to maintain strict “close management” – allowing only registered residents in and out. Officials have temporarily banned the sale of petrol in bulk, as well as firecrackers. Balloons for sporting events or other types of aerial advertising are also barred.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I would love to be a fly in this Congress.

More News On China's Annual Congress Opening On Friday

China's top political advisory body to hold annual session from May 21 to 27 -- CGTN
The upcoming CPPCC session: Safety, recovery, public health and more -- CGTN
Reviving economy the focus of China's parliamentary meets -- Straits Times
China's annual congress to open on Friday -- NHK
What to watch at China's coronavirus-delayed congress -- Nikkei Asian Review
Virus looms over China’s national legislative session -- AP
Virus looms over China's national legislative session -- ABC News
Beijing in semi-lockdown ahead of annual Two Sessions -- Straits Times

Wang Qishan Is Now China's Second Most Powerful Man

China's Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Qishan, the head of China's anti-corruption watchdog, attends the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 5, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Reuters: Xi's trusted 'firefighter' lieutenant becomes China's vice president

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s largely rubber-stamp parliament chose former top graft-buster Wang Qishan, a key ally of President Xi Jinping, as vice president on Saturday, a widely-expected move that nonetheless breaks with convention and underlines Xi’s dominant authority.

Xi was also re-elected president by parliament, with no votes cast against him. The body is packed with party loyalists and there was no chance he would not win the vote.

Wang bowed twice and then walked over to Xi to shake his hand after the vote was announced inside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Only one person voted against Wang out of the 2,970 votes cast.

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Update: Xi gets second term with powerful ally as VP (AFP)

WNU Editor:  So after almost six months of speculation, it is now official .... China's Second Most Powerful Man Is Not Retiring (Updated) (January 30, 2018)

China's National People's Congress Has Amended The Constitution To Abolish Term Limits For The Presidency

Daily Mail: Chinese lawmakers pass change to their constitution to allow president Xi Jinping to rule for life

* The rubber-stamp National People's Congress voted to abolish term limits
* There were 2,958 votes in favour, with two votes against and three abstentions
* Delegates applauded after each vote while Xi Jinping, 64, cast his ballot first

China's rubber-stamp lawmakers have passed a historic constitutional amendment that abolishes term limits and will enable President Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.

The National People's Congress' nearly 3,000 hand-picked delegates endorsed the constitutional amendment on Sunday, voting 2,958 in favour with two opposed, three abstaining and one vote invalidated.

The move reverses the era of 'collective' leadership and orderly succession that was promoted by form Deng Xiaoping to ensure stability following the turbulent one-man rule of Communist China's founder Mao Zedong.

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WNU Editor: So now it is official. The era of 'collective' leadership and orderly succession that was promoted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to ensure stability in China is now over. China has reverted back to a Mao concept of one man rule .... but with a modern touch.

More News On China's National People's Congress Amending The Constitution To Abolish Term Limits For The Presidency

China Focus: China's national legislature adopts landmark constitutional amendment -- Xinhuanet
China allows Xi to remain president indefinitely, tightening his grip on power -- Reuters
China makes historic move to allow Xi to rule indefinitely -- AP
China's parliament puts Xi on course to rule for life -- AFP
China's Xi allowed to remain 'president for life' as term limits removed -- BBC
China's Xi Wins Constitutional Backing for New Strongman Era -- New York Times
Xi cleared to rule indefinitely as China officially scraps term limits -- Washington Post
China clears way for Xi Jinping to rule for life -- CNN
China allows Xi to remain president indefinitely, tightening his grip on power -- FOX News
China scraps presidential term limit, enabling Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely -- DW
China's Congress votes to abolish presidential term limits, allowing Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely -- ABC News Online
China constitution change allows Xi Jinping to rule for life -- UPI
China parliament scraps presidential term limits -- Al Jazeera
Chinese lawmakers vote to remove presidential term limits -- RT
China Ties Future to Xi as Congress Scraps President Term Limits -- Bloomberg
China’s move to end Xi term limits blanketed in censorship -- AP
China abolishes presidential term limits -- The Hill
All hail Xi, China's 'Chairman of Everything' -- AFP
'This could destroy China': parliament sets Xi Jinping up to rule for life -- Tom Phillips
Major events in Xi Jinping’s rise as China’s leader-for-life -- AP
Xi: From graft-fighting governor to president for life -- AFP
AP PHOTOS: Xi cult of personality unseen in China since Mao -- AP

China's Second Most Powerful Person Is About To Be Appointed As Vice President And The 'Point-Man' In U.S.-China Relations

Picture: China's President Xi Jinping (R) speaks to Wang Qishan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the preparatory meeting of the annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 4, 2015. REUTERS/China Daily

The Diplomat: Xi Jinping May Turn to Top Ally to Handle US Pressure

Wang Qishan, Xi’s right-hand man, may reemerge as vice president after stepping down from his CCP position.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States has adopted a hawkish stance on China. The Trump administration’s new national security and defense strategies identify China as a strategic competitor, and a threat to domestic security and the global order. More importantly, the Trump administration plans to contest China’s “unfair trading practices,” cyber intrusions, and expansionism in the Indo-Pacific.

America’s increasing vigilance, new fiscal policies, and economic action against China represent a serious threat to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP’s political legitimacy has long been tied to its economic performance, and a slowing Chinese economy with a buildup of hidden risks now has to cope with the pressure of American tariffs and Trump’s tax cuts.

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WNU Editor: My commentary on Wang Qishan from last year still holds .... Why Did Steve Bannon Meet China's Second Most Powerful Man Last Week? (September 22, 2017). Being the point-man for China vs. the U.S. .... now that is a surprise.

Previous Posts

China's Second Most Powerful Man Is Not Retiring (Updated) (January 30, 2018)
China's Second Most Powerful Man Is 'Not Retiring' (December 1, 2017)
Is This China's Second Most Powerful Person? (September 21, 2017)

China's Second Most Powerful Man Is Not Retiring (Updated)

Picture: China's President Xi Jinping (R) speaks to Wang Qishan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the preparatory meeting of the annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 4, 2015. REUTERS/China Daily

Reuters: New task for old ally of China's President Xi suggests bigger role ahead

BEIJING (Reuters) - China implied on Monday a new job could be in the offing for Wang Qishan, the powerful former top graft-buster and a close ally of President Xi Jinping, with an announcement that he had been chosen as a delegate to the annual meeting of parliament.

Wang stepped down from the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, the apex of power in China, during a leadership reshuffle in October at the end of the once-in-five-years Communist Party Congress, amid intense interest in whether he would leave the post.

Aged 69, Wang had reached the age at which top officials tend to retire, but sources with ties to the leadership have told Reuters Xi could keep him on in some capacity, thanks to his loyalty and history of successfully tackling tough issues such as corruption.

Wang has been appointed a delegate to the largely rubber stamp parliament from the southern province of Hunan, according to a notice on the official Hunan Daily’s WeChat account that lists all the province’s parliamentary delegates.

Wang was previously a parliamentary delegate from the Chinese capital, Beijing.

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WNU Editor: Cannot say that I am surprised .... China's Second Most Powerful Man Is 'Not Retiring' (December 1, 2017). This appointment is also a sign to me that Chinese President Xi has not found anyone else to replace Wang Qishan .... or to put it bluntly .... he does not trust anyone else.

China's Second Most Powerful Man Is 'Not Retiring'

Wang Qishan. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg

South China Morning Post: Wang Qishan still attending top Communist Party meetings and in line for China’s vice-presidency

Wang, 69, left the Politburo Standing Committee in the reshuffle at the party’s five-yearly national congress in October.

Wang Qishan, China’s formidable former anti-corruption tsar, will continue to wield political influence in new Communist Party and state roles carved out for him by president and party chief Xi Jinping.

He has been given the rare privilege of attending meetings of the party’s supreme Politburo Standing Committee as a non-voting member, despite having stood down from the highest decision-making body in Chinese politics in October.

Meanwhile, he is also expected to be named vice-president – a less significant role in the Chinese hierarchy – at the annual session of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, in March, according to several sources.

Read more ....

Update: China’s Top Graft-Buster May Become Vice President, Report Says (Bloomberg)

WNU Editor: So much for all the predictions that he was retiring .... China's Second Most Powerful Man Is 'Retiring' (October 23, 2017). I have always regarded Wang Qishan as China's second most powerful man .... and it is all due to his close friendship to President Xi. And while the post of Vice-President in China is mostly ceremonial, his appointment is a signal to everyone that he is still involved in government, and he has the ear of President Xi. Bottom line .... whatever he says or does will be treated as coming directly from President Xi's office itself.

Loyalty To Chinese President Xi Is Now The Most Important Criteria For Advancement In China

Image Credit: Screenshot of CCTV on Youtube

Charlotte Gao, The Diplomat: How Were China's Top Leaders Selected?

China’s state media says the candidates have to meet four criteria.

One day after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) revealed its new generation of top leaders — the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) — China’s state news agency Xinhua published a report elaborating on how the top leaders were selected from the “black box” of CCP elite politics. While it contained lengthy propaganda and numerous ambiguous descriptions, the article still implied the fundamental selection criteria for China’s top leadership: loyalty to the party and to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Xinhua, Xi presided over a PSC meeting on April 24 and approved a plan on the selection mechanism for the 19th PSC members. The plan said the 19th PSC members would be selected through “recommendation and direct talk” with some restrictions on age and experience.

Xinhua disclosed that, from April to June, Xi personally had face-to-face meetings with 57 current and former party, state, and military leaders and consulted their opinions accordingly.

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WNU Editor: Personality cults never end well for those who follow the leader, and for the country as a whole. I am already hearing through the grapevine that city and provincial administrators/leaders are not happy with the obedience that they must now show (and give) to President Xi. My prediction .... on the outside everyone will be expressing their loyalty to the Party and its leader for the next few years .... on the inside and behind closed doors .... the opposite. I have lived long enough to have seen this happen more than once.

Update: Not everyone is unhappy .... it is true that the neo-Maoists are ecstatic .... China's neo-Maoists welcome Xi's new era, but say he is not the new Mao (Reuters).

A Look At The New Leaders Of China (Update)

Matthew Carney, ABC News Online: China Communist Party shakeup as Xi Jinping leads replacement of Politburo Standing Committee

The last week has seen the biggest shakeup in Chinese politics since the cultural revolution.

The 19th Party Congress has seen the majority of the Communist Party elites replaced, that is the 200 central committee members, 15 of the 25 politburo members and five of the seven members in the top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee.

The equivalent in Australia would be most of house of representatives and senate removed and replaced and the cabinet totally overhauled.

The big difference of course is it's all been to service the leadership and vision of one man — Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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WNU Editor: The main stream media narrative is saying that there are no successors to President Xi .... China's National Congress: How a crucial detail suggests Xi Jinping wants to stay in power for decades (The Independent). This assessment is based on the unofficial rule that Chinese political leaders must retire when they are 68 and/or complete their term of office when this age is reached. Using this as a guideline .... four of the six members in the Politburo Standing Committee will be eligible for the top post when the Congress returns in 5 years .... though they would be close to the retirement age of 68. My money is now on 60-year-old Zhao Leji to be next Chinese President. He is going up the ranks in the same manner that President Xi did before he was elevated to the top post, and he is close to President Xi. There are others in the Politburo itself (there are 25 of them) who are in their fifties and well positioned to take the top job .... I have already mentioned a few in past posts .... Chen Miner being one of them .... but in the current set-up Zhao Leji is the person to look at. Another think about Zhao Leji .... he heads the organization that can fire or promote any Chinese Communist official in the country. For a person who wants to grow a power base .... that is what is needed, and that is the power that President Xi has given to Zhao Leji.

A Look At The New Leaders Of China (Update)

Who's who? Meet China's new leaders -- BBC
The omnipotent seven: meet the men who make up China's new politburo -- The Guardian
Xi Jinping and other key leaders of China’s Communist Party -- AP
China’s Xi unveils new leaders but no obvious successor -- AP
China congress: No heir apparent as Xi reveals top leadership -- BBC
China's Xi Jinping unveils his top party leaders, with no successor in sight -- Washington Post
Xi Jinping signals intent to remain in power by revealing politburo with no successor -- The Guardian
Chinese President Xi Jinping stacks leadership team with supporters as he consolidates power -- ABC News Online

China Unveils Its Future Leaders

China's new Politburo Standing Committee members (L-R) Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu, arrive to meet with the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Reuters: China unveils new leadership line-up, no obvious Xi successor

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s Communist Party revealed its new leadership helmed by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, breaking with recent precedent by failing to include a clear successor to the president among the seven-man line-up.

Apart from Xi, Premier Li Keqiang was the only one to retain his spot amid sweeping changes on the Politburo Standing Committee, the height of power in the world’s second-largest economy.

Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng were promoted, replacing five retiring members including anti-corruption chief Wang Qishan, a key Xi ally. All seven are in their 60s, and for the first time no Standing Committee member will have been born before the 1949 Communist revolution.

Guangdong party secretary Hu Chunhua and Chongqing party boss Chen Miner had been previously seen as prominent contenders to succeed Xi among the party’s so-called sixth generation of leaders but were not included in the Standing Committee. Instead, both were named to the wider 25-member Politburo, a rung below the Standing Committee.

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WNU Editor: The media is saying that there is no clear candidate to replace President Xi in 5 years. My take is different .... there are a lot of candidates to replace President Xi when the next Party Congress convenes in 5 years. I will have more on this subject later today.

More News On China Unveiling Its Future Top Leaders

Xi presents new CPC central leadership -- Xinhua
China congress: No heir anointed as Xi reveals top leadership -- BBC News
China's Xi given 2nd 5-year term as Communist Party leader -- ABC News
China Unveils New Leadership With No Clear Successor to Xi Jinping -- Wall Street Journal
China Unveils New Leaders With No Clear Xi Successor in Sight -- Bloomberg
Xi Jinping's top team: China's new Politburo Standing Committee -- Financial Times
Factbox: China's new Politiburo Standing Committee lineup -- Reuters

China's Second Most Powerful Man Is 'Retiring'

Wang Qishan (center). Xinhua

South China Morning Post: He’s the anti-graft tsar about to leave China’s top leadership. So what will happen to Wang Qishan?

Wang Qishan, a key ally of President Xi Jinping, could be given position on powerful National Security Commission.

Wang Qishan, the feared anti-graft tsar billed as “China’s second most powerful man”, is likely to step down from the ruling Communist Party’s supreme Politburo Standing Committee on Wednesday, sources have told the South China Morning Post.

On Sunday, delegates to the party’s national congress in Beijing held closed-door meetings to discuss the lists of candidates for its elite Central Committee and anti-graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Two sources who have seen the lists confirmed to the Post that Wang was not among the names, meaning he will step down from the Politburo Standing Committee.

Zhao Leji, the party’s organisation chief, appeared on both lists, confirming an earlier Post exclusive report that he is expected to take over anti-corruption responsibilities from Wang.

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WNU Editor: Wang Qishan is Chinese President Xi's closest ally in the Chinese government .... and they are saying that he is retiring because of his age and protocols. I have a different view .... he is leaving because one of the conditions that President Xi was given for him to stay on for another 5 years was the reassignment of Wang Qishan out of the powerful anti-corruption department and the installation of someone that would be more amicable to the elites that run China.

Is Chen Miner The Next President Of China?

Guizhou Communist Party boss Chen Miner attends a meeting in Beijing, China, March 6, 2016. Picture taken March 6, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

Andrei Lungu, Foreign Policy: Xi Jinping Has Quietly Chosen His Own Successor

Meet Chen Min’er, the man who’s been getting groomed to run China, without anyone in the West seeming to notice.

Until recently, Sun Zhengcai, the party secretary of the metropolis of Chongqing, “the Chicago on the Yangtze,” was seen as a possible successor to Xi Jinping. Then, in July, the Communist Party of China launched an investigation against him for corruption, leading to Sun’s dismissal from office and the precipitous end to his political career.

Throughout the Western press, the removal of Sun Zhengcai was treated as conclusive proof that Xi plans to remain in charge after 2022, when term limits and political tradition will require him to give up power. This has been a common trope in the hazy world of Chinese political analysis since at least 2015, when Foreign Policy published “Xi Jinping Forever,” arguing that the Chinese leader would try to extend his rule beyond two terms. A constant stream of articles, especially in the run-up to this week’s 19th National Congress of the Communist Party, has reinforced the consensus that Xi Jinping isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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WNU Editor: He is one of the favorites, and he has the ear of Chinese President Xi. But he is not alone .... China's Next Class of Leaders Garners Buzz At Political Pageant (Bloomberg).

Update: Someone thinks this person may be the next leader .... Brookings China scholar: Xi may anoint Hu Chunhua as successor (Asia Times)

Chinese Official: Top Chinese Officials 'Plotted To Overthrow Chinese President Xi Jinping'

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, attends the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Oct. 18, 2017.

BBC: Top Chinese officials 'plotted to overthrow Xi Jinping'

A top Chinese official has claimed several high-ranking members of the Communist Party had plotted to seize power from President Xi Jinping.

These party members have since been arrested or jailed in a wide-reaching corruption crackdown launched by Mr Xi.

Some observers have said the crackdown was used to conduct a political purge of Mr Xi's opponents.

The latest claim of a power struggle appears to contradict the Communist Party's unified image.

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WNU Editor: Apparently 18 of 205 members in the Central Committee have been purged in the past year .... China anti-corruption purge hits Central Committee members (Financial Times). Liu Shiyu, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, is the official who made this announcement .... and this surprises me because the Chinese elite do not reveal their dirty laundry for everyone to see. So why this done on purpose .... or a slip-up .... we shall see.

More News On A Senior Chinese Official Chinese Official Claiming That Other Top Chinese Officials 'Plotted To Overthrow Chinese President Xi Jinping'

Ousted Chinese Official Is Accused of Plotting Against Communist Party -- New York Times
Chinese official: Fallen politician plotted against leaders -- National Post/AP
Disgraced Communist leaders 'plotted to overthrow China's president' before being arrested in political purge by Xi Jinping -- Daily Mail
Chinese Official: Xi's Anti-corruption Drive Prevented Coup Attempt -- Voice of America
Chinese President Xi Jinping foiled a plot to take over leadership, says official -- Scroll
Xi Jinping foiled coup plot by top Chinese officials to overthrow him: report -- Deccan Chronicle

Some Videos On Chinese President Xi And The Men Who Rule China

Analysis, Reaction, And Commentary On The 19th National Congress Of The Communist Party Of China

Tom Phillips, The Guardian: Xi Jinping tests eyelids – and bladders – with three-and-a-half hour speech

Some call Xi Jinping a Chinese Putin. Others a 21st-century Mao.

On Wednesday morning he was China’s Hugo Chávez, testing his comrades’ eyelids – and their bladders – with a three-and-a-half hour, 65-page sermon in which he outlined his brave new vision for the Communist party, and the world.

“The Chinese dream is a dream about history, the present and the future,” Xi declared towards the end of his unexpectedly long-winded address to the opening of China’s 19th party congress. By the conclusion of this eastern answer to Aló Presidente! more than a few of Xi’s audience appeared to have entered a dreamlike state.

Read more ....

Analysis, Reaction, And Commentary On The 19th National Congress Of The Communist Party Of China

Xi Jinping speech: five things you need to know -- The Guardian
5 things to know about China’s twice-a-decade party congress -- AP
Xi Jinping: A speech that spells power -- John Sudworth BBC
'My god, 3.5 hours': Xi gives marathon speech, China listens -- AFP
What Chinese President Xi Jinping had to say about market reforms -- DW
China's Xi vows open economy, investors want action -- AFP
Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech had something for everyone, but little detail: Analysis -- Matthew Carney, ABC News Online
Fear and Loyalty at China’s 19th Communist Party Congress -- Gordon G. Chang, Cipher Brief
Be in no doubt, Xi Jinping wants to make China great again -- Nick Bisley, The Guardian
Now Hear This—The Clock is Ticking in China: The Decade of Concern Has Begun -- Jim Fanell, Proceedings Magazine
Xi Skips Old Growth Pledge as China Seeks Quality, Not Quantity -- Bloomberg
China's Economic Reforms Get Another Chance -- Stratfor
Coming of age in an era of prosperity: Meet China's 'bubble generation' -- John Ruwitch and Anita Li, Reuters
Long speech, lots of tea: party meeting with Chinese characteristics -- John Ruwitch, Reuters
5 Years Ago, China's Xi Jinping Was Largely Unknown. Now He's Poised To Reshape China -- Julian Gewirtz and Jeffrey Wasserstrom, NPR

The 19th National Congress Of The Communist Party Of China Opens In Beijing -- News Updates October 18, 2017

Reuters: China's Xi lays out vision for 'new era' led by 'still stronger' Communist Party

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday laid out a confident vision for a more prosperous nation and its role in the world, stressing the importance of wiping out corruption and curbing industrial overcapacity, income inequality and pollution.

Opening a critical Communist Party congress, Xi pledged to build a “modern socialist country” for a “new era” that will be proudly Chinese and steadfastly ruled by the party but open to the world.

Although his wide-ranging address made clear there were no plans for political reform, Xi said China’s development had entered a “new era”, using the phrase 36 times in a speech that ran nearly 3-1/2 hours.

“With decades of hard work, socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era,” Xi said.

Read more ....

The 19th National Congress Of The Communist Party Of China Opens In Beijing -- News Updates October 18, 2017

CPC opens 19th National Congress, declaring 'new era' of Chinese socialism -- ECNS
Chinese president Xi lays out vision for 'new era' led by 'still stronger' Communist Party in 3½ HOUR speech as he opens five-yearly national congress -- Daily Mail
Xi urges stronger Chinese stand against ‘grim’ challenges -- AP
Xi Jinping heralds 'new era' of Chinese power at Communist party congress -- The Guardian
China's Xi Jinping opens 19th Communist Party Congress with 'new era' speech -- UPI
China's Xi Jinping opens Communist Party congress set for massive Politburo reshuffle -- DW
Xi Jinping lays out vision for a stronger China, with Communist Party at the center -- Los Angeles Times
China to establish leading group for law-based governance -- Reuters
China's GDP rose to $12.1 trillion in last five years: Xi Jinping -- The Indian Express
Xi says China will continue to open its economy, deepen financial reforms -- Reuters
China will stick to supply side structural reform, overcapacity reduction efforts -- Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping Unveils Country's Development Strategy -- Sputnik
Xi says China will boost efforts to tackle terrorism, extremism -- Reuters
Xi says China has zero tolerance for corruption within the party -- Reuters
China's Xi vows to carry on anti-corruption crusade -- Al Jazeera
China vows to scrap secret interrogations of Communist Party members -- Reuters
Xi says China has prevented Taiwan independence over past five years -- Reuters
China ready to 'defeat' Taiwan independence: Xi -- AFP
China's Xi: any attempt to separate Taiwan from China will be thwarted -- Reuters
'One China' principle must be maintained, China's Xi says -- Reuters
China must cooperate with other nations on climate change: Xi -- Reuters
China's President Xi says will continue years-long war on smog -- Reuters

What To Look For At This Year's Chinese Party Congress

A visitor watches a video showing Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military meeting during an exhibition displaying China's achievements for the past five years, as a part of the celebrations of the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at Beijing Exhibition Centre in Beijing, China October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Reuters: Factbox: What to watch for at China's Communist Party Congress

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s ruling Communist Party on Wednesday opens its 19th Congress, at which President Xi Jinping will map out his ambitions for the country for the next five years and beyond, likely to be high on aspiration and short on concrete details.

Here are some key factors to watch out for:

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Here is a more in depth look at what to look for when the Chinese Party Congress opens this Wednesday .... "China's Big Reshuffle": A Preview Of The Year's Biggest Political Event, China's 19th Party Congress (Zero Hedge).

China Prepares For The 19th National Congress Of The Communist Party (It Starts Next Week)

Reuters: Xi propaganda kicks into overdrive ahead of China Communist Party congress

BEIJING (Reuters) - Inside the packed exhibition hall in central Beijing is a showcase of China’s recent achievements: the country’s first operational aircraft carrier; a gleaming fleet of high-speed trains; happy villagers lifted from poverty.

While the display officially celebrates the accomplishments of the Chinese people over the past five years, it is made clear that President Xi Jinping is the man to thank.

To enter the exhibition, staged by the Communist Party’s propaganda department, visitors pass through a circular antechamber with red walls emblazoned with slogans inspired by Xi’s concepts on governance.

Hundreds of images of Xi adorn the walls in each of the exhibition’s ten halls: in combat fatigues surveying the troops, holding court with foreign dignitaries, even showing his softer side by petting a baby elephant.

By contrast, photographs of other party leaders are much smaller and displayed in less prominent spots.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I was an observer at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (1987). I stuck out because of my young age, I wore a really nice suit made from Hong Kong, and I had a flashy Rolex watch (a gift from a girl friend that I learned a year later was a fake). What do I remember most of that Congress. Meeting Chinese Communist Party secretary general Zhao Ziyang and Chinese paramount Communist leader Deng Xiaoping .... but I was too minor of an official to shake their hands. And it is true of what they say about Deng Xiaoping .... he was a small man but there was an aura around him of respect that when he walked into the room everyone noticed him within seconds, and everyone goes silent. What is the big difference from what I experienced then and what is happening now. Today .... these non-military Communist Party officials are all going to be wearing $2,000 to $3,000 suits, $50,000 watches, and many of them are responsible for managing/running billion dollar organizations and institutions. The senior military officials will also be wearing sharp military suits. The technology .... which was completely absent in 1987 .... will be everywhere and on complete display next week. The atmosphere will be all business .... no more slogans of Marx or Mao being expressed. Do I miss it .... yeah .... I do .... it is an incredible show to witness. All that I can say is that if I was there today, I would go retro and wear a real Mao suit, no flashy watch, and look super-humble .... and yes .... I would stick out again. :)

Update: My favorite Deng Xiaoping quotes (the second quote is how I have lived my life .... but I now want to change by leading) ....

It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.

Keep a cool head and maintain a low profile. Never take the lead - but aim to do something big.

Political Turmoil In China?

Sun Zhengcai, then Chongqing Communist Party secretary, is shown attending a meeiting of a top political advisory body in Beijing in March 2016. Photo: Jason Lee/REUTERS

Wall Street Journal: China Expels Party Official Once Seen as Potential Successor to Xi Jinping

Politburo moves quickly to evict Sun Zhengcai ahead of Communist Party Congress.

BEIJING—China’s Communist Party expelled a senior official over alleged corruption and abuses of power just weeks before a pivotal conclave where President Xi Jinping plans to bolster his authority.

State media said Friday’s expulsion of Sun Zhengcai, the former top official in the inland megacity of Chongqing, was ordered by the party’s governing Politburo—ending the career of a party stalwart once seen as a possible successor to Mr. Xi before being placed under probe in mid-July.

Mr. Sun’s downfall echoes the 2012 purge of a predecessor, Bo Xilai, who was Chongqing’s party chief and a rising political star when he fell from grace amid corruption allegations and a murder scandal involving his wife.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Leading officials are not expelled a few weeks before the Party Congress unless there is a problem. This is a red flag to me .... it tells me that there are many in China who are not happy with President Xi, especially his push to have an additional 5 year term in his Presidency. And while I do expect President Xi to get what he wants .... limits are going to be imposed on him .... the main one being that he will be leaving in the next Party Congress.

More News On Political Change In China

Sun Zhengcai expelled from CPC, public office -- Xinhau
Communist Party expels former high-flyer Sun Zhengcai in countdown to key congress -- South China Morning Post
China Communist Party expels former star Sun Zhengcai -- Washington Post
China Communist Party Expels Former Rising Star Sun, Xinhua Says -- Bloomberg
China's Communist Party expels top member ahead of congress -- Digital Journal
China's Next President: Reading the Tea Leaves of Chinese Politics -- The Diplomat

Why Did Steve Bannon Meet China's Second Most Powerful Man Last Week?

Steve Bannon (YouTube)

Zero Hedge: Bannon Held Secret Meeting With China's Second Most Powerful Man

Shortly after Steve Bannon visited Hong Kong last week to give a closed-door speech at a big investor conference hosted by CLSA, a Chinese state-owned brokerage and investment group, Trump's former strategist flew to Beijing for a "secret meeting with the second most powerful Chinese Communist party official", less than a month after the former chief White House strategist declared that America was at “economic war with China”, the FT has reported.

The meeting occurred at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound, where Bannon meet with Wang Qishan, the head of the Chinese Communist party’s anti-corruption campaign.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: A day after I had called China's Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Qishan the second most powerful man in China .... Is This China's Second Most Powerful Person? (September 21, 2017) .... both Zero Hedge and the Financial Times are now calling Wang Qishan the second most powerful man in China. The Financial Times even repeated my analysis that Wang Qishan will remain in his position for the next year or two.

Hmmmm .... I guess they read this blog. :)

The Financial Times article is here .... Steve Bannon held secret meeting in China (Financial)

Update: Now everyone else has jumped on the band-wagon with a focus on how important Wang Qishan is to Chinese President Xi ....

Bannon met with Communist Party official in Beijing: report -- The Hill
Secret meeting with Steve Bannon in Beijing adds to speculation over Wang Qishan's future -- South China Morning Post
Stephen Bannon secretly met with a powerful Chinese Communist Party leader in Beijing -- The Week Magazine
Steve Bannon held secret meeting with a senior Chinese Communist party official: Report -- Washington Examiner
Steve Bannon held secret meeting with Wang Qishan: report -- Asia Times

Update #2: This report is accurate .... China's anti-graft czar aims to retire at party congress (Nikkei Asian Review), but I have been told that President Xi has asked him to stay on for a year or two.We shall see .... but in my world when your President or Prime Minister asks you to serve .... you do not say no.