Did the Beijing Bai Dai He Meeting Take Place in China... "Xi Jinping Likely to Secure Third Term"

Chinese President Xi Jinping Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] It appears that the so-called 'Beidaihe Meeting,' where current and former Chinese leadership discuss major issues during the summer vacation season, has been taking place since early this month. The Beidaihe Meeting is kept secret, including its agenda, schedule, and even the fact that it is being held.

According to recent reports from Chinese-language media such as Duowei, security has been significantly tightened in Beidaihe, a seaside resort area in Hebei Province.

Since attending the Communist Party Politburo meeting and collective study session held in Beijing on the 30th of last month, President Xi Jinping has not appeared in public as of the 9th. Reports on the activities of the Standing Committee members of the Communist Party Central Committee, excluding President Xi, have also unusually disappeared simultaneously.

The increased security and the disappearance of public activities by President Xi and other leaders are generally interpreted as signals that the Beidaihe Meeting is underway.

Every August, China's incumbent leaders and party elders gather in Beidaihe to discuss important policies and long-term directions. However, Chinese-language media analyze that the political influence of the Beidaihe Meeting has weakened in the Xi Jinping era, where one-man rule has been consolidated.

There is speculation that high-level personnel matters, including President Xi's term extension, will be discussed at this year's Beidaihe Meeting. Duowei reported, "The meeting is attracting attention as plans for senior personnel may be addressed."

There is still no visible successor to President Xi. The Beidaihe Meeting is expected to further solidify President Xi's third term following the 2018 constitutional amendment that removed the 'three-term limit for the presidency.'

The Beidaihe Meeting and the upcoming 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party (19th 5th Plenum) in October are likely to discuss party system reforms related to the new leadership structure, which may be finalized at next year's party congress.

The next Politburo Standing Committee members and other key personnel are also expected to be discussed. Issues such as the US-China hegemonic rivalry, response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic normalization are also expected to be addressed.

A source in Beijing said, "As the Xi Jinping regime approaches its tenth year, all political rivals have been eliminated, and recently even businesses have suffered severe setbacks, solidifying his power. The successor structure is still not visible, and the influence of party elders has weakened, so this Beidaihe Meeting will effectively serve to cement President Xi's third term."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.