Xi makes it clear who’s boss as Chinese leaders old and new head off for summer gathering
President’s apparent snub of former leaders indicative of his desire to tighten his grip of power, analysts say
The annual summer gathering of the ruling elite of China’s Communist Party in the seaside resort of Beidaihe has traditionally been a symbol of the country’s “elderly politics”.
For decades, the secretive gathering has provided a stage for leaders past and present to air their views on how the party and nation should be run. While actual dates for the event are never released, the absence of Xi and other key figures from recent news reports suggests that this year’s event is almost certainly now under way.
This year, however, things might just be a little different, as Xi, at least according to some political analysts, appears to be demonstrating a more unilateral approach to leadership.
“Control of the party, government and military are all in his hands,” said Chen Daoyin, a political science professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. “The current power structure means no one can disagree with him.”
Last Sunday, Xi was the sole state leader present as China’s military took part in a massive show of force to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of People’s Liberation Army.
The following day, while speaking to senior Party and government officials at another commemorative event in Beijing, Xi delivered a lengthy speech on national security and the development of the nation’s military without once mentioning Hu Jintao or Jiang Zemin, the only two former presidents still alive.
It was a conspicuous omission, and pointed to a break from the tradition that Chinese presidents always honour the legacy of their living seniors, who often exert great influence within the party through their subordinates.
