Asian Angle | Politicking over and team in place, 2018 is when China’s Xi has to deliver on reforms
It was an eventful and fortunate 2017 for the president, but now he will be expected to use his consolidated power to make real progress
President Xi Jinping had two big challenges to navigate in 2017.
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Xi’s second was the 19th party congress, where new leaders were appointed and his power was consolidated. Had things not gone well, it could have set a tone for further discord and disharmony.
On both issues, Xi can be given high marks. His handling of the mercurial and capricious Trump has proved effective so far – more so perhaps than any other international partner. Xi’s Congress passed without any major misstep – a group of leaders were elevated who are largely seen as enablers for his agenda. Consensus seemed to reign supreme.
China, therefore, ends the year with an enhanced international status, and with an internal polity which, while facing immense social, environmental, economic and political challenges, looks to be unified and in control. For China, 2017 will go down as a year without major hiccups. In its turbulent story over the past few decades, that counts as a major success.
