Xi Jinping's Chinese Dream: Following National Salvation, Prosperity, and Wealth, Now 'G1'

Through the 3rd Historical Resolution of the Chinese Communist Party, President Xi secures justification for long-term rule
Tensions with Taiwan and the US-China conflict remain major challenges for President Xi

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Communist Party of China (CPC) has adopted a new "historical resolution." Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has adopted two historical resolutions, in 1945 and 1981. This new historical resolution comes 40 years after the 6th Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee (6th Plenum) in 1981.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the People's Daily, the CPC's official newspaper, the 6th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC (6th Plenum) deliberated and approved the "Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party's Century-long Struggle (Historical Resolution)" the day before.

The CPC Central Committee, in a communique summarizing the results of the 6th Plenum, stated, "The establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position in the Party Central Committee and the whole Party, as well as the leading position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, reflects the common aspiration of all Party members, the entire military, and the people."

◆ Xi Jinping, the Protagonist of the Third Historical Resolution

The communique released the previous day mentioned President Xi Jinping's name as many as 18 times. Mao Zedong, known as the father of the founding of modern China, was mentioned 7 times, and Deng Xiaoping, who opened the door to China's reform and opening-up, was mentioned only 5 times. Xi Jinping's authority has surpassed that of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

The communique also listed numerous achievements during Xi Jinping's nine years in power. It evaluated that the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, overcame major challenges and resolved issues that had long been desired but unresolved. The major challenges refer to the US-China conflict, and the resolved issues refer to the building of a Xiaokang society (a moderately prosperous society where all people live well).

The communique further described the country's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and overall national power as having grown by leaps and bounds.

◆ The Biggest Obstacle to Xi Jinping’s Long-term Rule

This historical resolution is interpreted as a political act to legitimize and justify Xi Jinping's long-term rule.

Summarizing the communique, the CPC has gone through the processes of saving the nation (Guo), revitalizing the nation (Xing), and enriching the nation (Fu) since its founding, with Xi Jinping completing the enrichment phase. The vision of Xi Jinping is to proceed on the path of strengthening the nation (Qiang). At the 5th Plenum held last year, the Chinese leadership announced that the GDP would double by 2035 compared to 2019. This implies surpassing the United States to become the 'G1.' Although the Chinese leadership emphasizes no interest in hegemony, the G1 position essentially equates to hegemony.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some in Beijing are paying attention to the year "2035." Considering that Xi Jinping was born in 1953, there is analysis that he could hold power until 2035.

The problem lies in conflicts with the West, including the United States. Taiwan is at the forefront of these conflicts. The communique emphasized that since Xi Jinping took power, "the initiative in cross-Strait relations has been firmly grasped." The United States has also made clear it will not back down on the Taiwan issue, making it highly likely that the Taiwan issue will continue to hamper Xi Jinping's governance.

The global supply chain is also an obstacle. The Western camp's moves to exclude China from cutting-edge industries such as semiconductors and mobile communications are becoming concrete, threatening to break the existing growth formula of "Made in China." This makes achieving Xi Jinping's emphasized goal of "common prosperity" (a society where everyone lives well) more difficult. Depending on circumstances, Xi Jinping's term could end after an additional five years.

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