Cary Huang

Sino File | Opinion: Xi who must be obeyed - arise, China’s chairman of everything

In concentrating all power in his own hands at the expense of the collaborative model that has recently served China so well, President Xi Jinping is taking a gamble

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Strongman: Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP

Cary Huang

Published: 10:18am, 21 Oct 2017Updated: 3:45pm, 23 Oct 2017

The fanfare surrounded a gathering of 2,287 hand-picked delegates, representing 89 million party members from 31 provinces and nine state agencies – from state-owned enterprises to the People’s Liberation Army.

But as the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party got under way at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, even official media outlets like China Daily made little secret of the fact that the twice-a-decade event was really a one-man show, the English language newspaper even adding a section to its website titled “Xi’s Moments”.

The ‘congress’ is more of a well-scripted political ceremony; the outcome of the weeklong gathering is clear even before its close: strongman leader Xi Jinping will emerge with an even stronger grip on the nation.

Xi’s new era beckons, but China’s leadership reshuffle may be less dramatic than expected

In a keynote speech to open the session on Wednesday, Xi, state president and party chief, declared the China Corp under him was embarking on “a new journey in a new era, with new thinking and new accomplishments”.

Yes, the congress marks the advent of a new era – one that resurrects “strongman” politics resembling the rule of Mao Zedong.

WATCH: Xi Jinping outlines China’s future

Many observers believe that five years ago the decision to opt for Xi’s leadership was a result of a trade-off between the party’s two most influential factions – the Shanghai faction led by former president Jiang Zemin and the China Youth League headed by then retiring leader Hu Jintao.