[Global Issues+] The Meaning of the 'Historical Resolution' as a Tool for Xi Jinping's Long-term Rule

Xi Jinping Rises to the Same Rank as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping
Confidence in Long-Term Rule Solidifies... Expectations for Easing Hardline Foreign Policy

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Chinese Communist Party has recently attracted worldwide attention by announcing a "historical resolution." A historical resolution has only been announced three times since the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921, and the leaders who led these resolutions all succeeded in establishing lifelong dictatorships. Because of this, there are evaluations that Chinese President Xi Jinping has also laid the foundation for a lifelong dictatorship.

On the 20th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that with the Chinese Communist Party's historical resolution, President Xi has risen to the ranks of China's three great leaders. The NYT stated, "The historical resolution does not acknowledge any mistakes during Xi Jinping's tenure, and only explains his successes in eradicating corruption, reducing poverty, and eliminating political opponents," adding, "This has opened the way for Xi, who is already a powerful leader, to exert even greater influence."

The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, published the full text of the historical resolution on the 17th. The content briefly introduced the 100-year history of the Chinese Communist Party since its founding in 1921 and showed the decisions made by Chinese leaders intertwined with the changes of the times. In the full text of about 36,000 characters, Xi Jinping was highlighted as a great leader who achieved accomplishments equal to those of Mao Zedong, known as the founding father of China, and Deng Xiaoping, who led the reform and opening-up.

Historical Resolution Appears for the First Time in 40 Years... Xi Jinping Emerges as the Leader of 'Common Prosperity'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The first historical resolution in Chinese history was said to have appeared in 1945. At that time, the historical resolution was intended to declare that Mao Zedong, known as the founding father since the Communist Party's founding in 1921, had eliminated his political opponents and severed ties with Soviet-style communism to establish an independent Chinese national system. Through this, Mao purged all opposing forces within the Communist Party and laid the foundation for long-term rule.

The second historical resolution was carried out in 1981. At that time, it was led by Deng Xiaoping, who took power after Mao Zedong's death. The resolution declared a shift to a large-scale reform and opening-up policy, learning from the failures of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution led by Mao. Deng Xiaoping, who led the reform and opening-up, also gained strong power and maintained a lifelong dictatorship until his death in 1997.

The reason why the recent historical resolution by Xi Jinping is considered a foundation for his lifelong dictatorship lies here. Like his predecessors, the main content of this historical resolution was a reflection on the 30 years of reform and opening-up since Deng Xiaoping and the presentation of building a 'common prosperity' society, advocated by Xi Jinping, as a new era goal.

China's Shift in Hardline Foreign Policy... Expectations for Tension Easing After US-China Summit

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

With this historical resolution opening the path for Xi Jinping's long-term rule, there are also expectations that the hardline foreign policy pursued by the Chinese government so far will be softened.

The first meeting with President Biden, held via video conference on the 16th, was reportedly held immediately after the announcement of this historical resolution. It is analyzed that despite continuing a hardline policy toward the US since Biden's inauguration, confidence in regime stability led to the meeting. If Xi Jinping's third term is solidified next year, there are expectations that the hardline policy will be further eased and efforts to improve relations with the United States will be actively pursued.

According to CNN, China is currently facing serious issues not only with economic growth rates after COVID-19 but also with unemployment, and there is an emergency in price management due to coal and power shortages. Concerns are growing that the situation could worsen if confrontations and isolation from the US and the international community continue. Therefore, there are forecasts that the hardline foreign policy may be significantly eased in the future to stabilize the regime.

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