Hu Jintao Removed From National Congress of the CCP (2022)

During the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party , former president Hu Jintao was removed. The incident generated much international attention in 2022. The explanation was that Hu Jintao was feeling unwell. The escorting of the former president was thought to be political removal. President Xi Jinping has become one of China's most powerful head of state. Making Hu Jintao retire or no longer participate in the National Congress demonstrates a change in political direction. During the Hu Jintao era, China was expanding its foreign relations and opening up to more foreign investment. The 2000s was the period of being more open, which was demonstrated by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The era of  coexistence and understanding was ended with the Asia pivot. President Xi Jinping responded to the sudden anti-China foreign policy from North America and Europe. When President Hu Jintao left office in 2013, relations were already in deterioration due to the rebalancing to the Pacific. Hu Jintao no longer has a large role in the CCP. His removal during the National Congress session demonstrates that President Xi Jinping wants move the CCP away from the influence of senior leaders. 

Nancy Pelosi's Visit To China (1991)

 

Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. Her visit to China in 1991 became performative politics. The Democratic representative made decided to stop by Tiananmen Square and make statements about the protests in 1989. What attracted attention from authorities  was holding up a memorial banner. This was more than just a visit and paying respects to victim of police brutality. A choreographed ceremony was being done so she could boost her political profile. Pelosi was not concerned about the welfare of the Chinese people. Rather as a US leader there was a growing disdain for China's economic rise. Nancy Pelosi would disparage trade and tariffs with China in the US House of Representatives in 1996. As Speaker of the House she would visit Taiwan in 2022. Nancy Pelosi had a consistent anti-Chinese political position for the sake of US dominance in Asia. Human rights was being used as a mask to disguise an ulterior geopolitical objective. Foreign interference into  protests in other nations is way to manipulate them. A faction of Tiananmen Square demonstrators wanted to use perestroika as a political model. Chinese were not demonstrating for a western liberal democracy. The demand was for reforms. Pelosi's 1991 comment on free speech in China was contradictory. Just a decade later, free press and speech were under attack in the US due to anti-terrorism laws.    

Jiang Zemin Criticizes The Model of Reporting

 

President Jiang Zemin's leadership further cemented China's transition  to a free market in the  1990s.Economic liberalization did not produce the reforms that some desired. The Chinese Communist Party remained the only political force in the People's Republic of China. Maoism was phased out by the 1980s.  President Zemin in this rare video criticizes a journalist for not understanding the nature of the system. He implies that the questions asked do not consider the complexities of China politics and government. Zemin explains that it is important for a journalist to be knowledgeable and have greater understanding of certain situations. The model of modern reporting is to repeat a certain narrative. The problem with this is that it can normalize bias, without examining other perspectives. While Jiang Zemin's point is valid, but that does not negate the fact the government is a one party state. The absence of free press or political opposition make it difficult for journalism to evolve. The footage demonstrates how leaders in China try to deflect the authoritarian nature of the regime. The modern model of reporting does have flaws, which abusive governments can use to their advantage. They can cite unfair reporting as a foreign plot or disinformation to restrict free speech. Under Zemin's administration the urban-rural wealth gap grew and state owned enterprises closed. Few in China seriously criticized or challenged him on policy.    

The Growth of President Xi Jinping's Influence

 

President Xi Jinping will serve a third term as General Secretary. This is a new new development in the People's Republic of China. The tradition was to limit the terms. However, President Xi Jinping has growing influence both inside China and the wider global stage. Much of the diplomatic success was due to the efforts of the former president  Hu Jintao. His administration made a greater effort to build strong relations with African nations in the early 2000s. President Xi Jinping is using that framework and building upon it in regards to foreign relations. The concerns over Taiwan and the One China policy have made more suspicious of other world powers. Taiwan is still a part of China, but in reality has de facto independence. China's issue is that the break away island gets international recognition. Taiwan and the growing economic competition will be a major focus of Xi Jinping's third term. China's  economic goals ae to expand manufacturing and strengthen the information technology sector. Since becoming core leader, Xi Jinping has attained more power. The CCP and government might be going through a major transformation. China is becoming more like a mixed economy. The socialist and capitalist elements are fusing in a country that has become a world power. President Xi Jinping has an ambitious path of China having a greater role in global affairs. Diplomatic relation are going to extend through Latin America, Africa, and most of Asia. President Xi Jinping now represents what the multipolar world order. Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines remain suspicious of  President Xi Jinping's intentions.