Xi Jinping brings close confidants into the government
The head of state and party leader of China at the height of his power. And with the appointment of a henchman in the government, the 69-year-old begins his third term as president.
With the largest new government in ten years, China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping has consolidated his power. At the annual meeting of the People’s Congress on Sunday in Beijing, nearly 3,000 delegates who were not freely elected agreed to appoint more close associates of Xi for the new government, thus completing the cabinet reshuffle. On Saturday, the political comrade of the party leader, Li Qiang, 63, was named the new prime minister and successor to the outgoing Li Keqiang, 67, who belongs to a different political camp.
As expected, Parliament at its annual session in the Great Hall of the People also voted in favor of the proposals for the posts of four deputy prime ministers and cabinet members. Former Chief of Staff and old friend Xi Ding Xuexiang (60) became Acting First Deputy Prime Minister. Economist He Lifeng, 68, is set to handle economic and financial affairs as another deputy prime minister. He takes on the role of retiree Liu He (71), who led trade talks with the United States.
General Li Changfu (65), recently influential chief of weapons development in the Military Commission and head of the manned space program, will be the new defense minister. In 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, the United States imposed sanctions on the general personally and on the management of his weapons development. Like his predecessor Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu is the only military representative in the Chinese government.
Finance and trading team will not be exchanged
The appointment of more close associates of Xi Jinping to the government has met with mixed reactions. “They are yes men, but they are capable,” said Jakob Gunter of the Merex China Institute in Berlin. “There could be an echo chamber where no one like (outgoing prime minister) Li Keqiang, is able to voice the dissenting opinion and add other points of view, perhaps advocating a moderate agenda.”
On the other hand, it can also be said that having a circle of close associates “without factions” finally means that there can be “honest discussion” in the management team, Gunther said. This is necessary to address many structural problems in the Chinese economy. The Merics expert said he tends to be skeptical and anxious about the echo chamber.
The surprising thing is that Xi Jinping has retained key members of the old finance and trade teams. In times of economic uncertainty, this appears to be intended to boost confidence in the economy. The 65-year-old Yi Gang, who was expected to be sacked, will remain the head of the central bank. Finance Minister Liu Kun, 66, and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, 58, also kept their posts.
The People’s Congress ends on Monday
“It is a practical option because new leaders need professional experts to deal with complex economic and financial challenges,” said Zheng Chui, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management at Bloomberg Financial Agency, assuring the financial officials. “The management understands that the highest priority is to build confidence. This decision is a step in that direction.”
The People’s Assembly on Monday concluded approving the outgoing government’s work reports and budget with a sharp 7.2 percent increase in defense spending. After the strict Zero-Covid strategy with far-reaching lockdowns and forced quarantines ended in December, the government believes the second-largest economy will recover this year and forecasts growth of “around five percent.”
Xi Jinping was confirmed on Friday for an unprecedented third term as president. At the party congress in October, the 69-year-old defied previously respected age and term limits: The 69-year-old had a permanent leadership role enshrined in the party’s constitution. He could even stay in office for life. In doing so, he is associated with the founder of the state and the “eternal revolutionary” Mao Zedong (1893-1976), who, however, brought chaos to the country.
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