[Correspondent Column] The Reality of 'Seupha Lee Sang'

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Zhao Gao was a eunuch who rose to become the Prime Minister of the Qin dynasty. He is also famous for the idiom "Zhi Lu Wei Ma" (指鹿爲馬, "Calling a deer a horse"). Before his death, Emperor Qin Shi Huang left a will to pass the throne to his eldest son, Fusu. Zhao Gao changed the name Fusu in the will to Huhai. Through this act, Zhao Gao ascended to the position of Prime Minister. As the second-in-command, Zhao Gao attempted to become the top leader himself but was executed. Cases where treacherous officials like Zhao Gao gain power due to a lack of legitimacy of the emperor, leading to national chaos, appear quite frequently in Chinese history.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on the 18th that the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, published Premier Li Keqiang's speech at the "5th Anti-Corruption Work Conference" on page 2 of the April 14th (Saturday) edition, highlighting Premier Li's presence. The Anti-Corruption Work Conference was held on March 25th. The newspaper analyzed that Premier Li's previously nominal authority has significantly increased over the past month.

Is the People's Daily report particularly meaningful? People's Daily published the speech from the "4th Anti-Corruption Work Conference" on page 2 of the May 10th (Monday) edition last year. The length was similar to this year's, and the title was the same, differing only in the numbers "4 (四)" and "5 (五)." This year’s speech included content stating that under the leadership of Comrade Xi Jinping, the government thoroughly adhered to the decisions of the Party Central Committee and systematically and strictly implemented the Party's requirements. This is a kind of praise for Chairman Xi in anticipation of the 20th Party Congress scheduled for this fall. The economic content was consistent with what Premier Li emphasized at previous State Council executive meetings, considering the resurgence of COVID-19: support measures for enterprises and self-employed individuals, employment stability, and food and energy security. It seems Nikkei wanted to use second-in-command Premier Li to undermine first-in-command Chairman Xi.

American media also joined in. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an analysis article on the 25th stating that the Chinese leadership is divided over the "zero COVID" policy. The basis was Chairman Xi's video speech at the 70th anniversary event of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held in Beijing on the 18th and 19th. WSJ reported that Chairman Xi only emphasized that the pandemic has put the world in crisis and did not mention economic matters. In contrast, Premier Li said at a forum that efforts would be made to ensure that multinational companies do not stop their business operations in China due to COVID-19 controls. WSJ added that it seems the Chinese leadership is divided on epidemic prevention policies. WSJ also published an article in 2016, near the end of Xi's first term, reporting cracks within the Party due to conflicting economic policies between Chairman Xi and Premier Li. Nikkei also previously reported discord within the Chinese leadership based on words appearing in a speech by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in 2016.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When lockdowns pushed Shanghai citizens' dissatisfaction to the extreme, the phrase "Xia Xi Li Shang (習下李上)" circulated in some parts of Shanghai. It means that Chairman Xi would fall and Premier Li would rise to the top position. This phrase recalls "Juchowiwang (走肖爲王)" from the Joseon Dynasty under King Jungjong.

Could Xia Xi Li Shang actually happen? Chairman Xi holds the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (military command authority). He controls the Party, government, and military powers. WSJ and Nikkei are certainly aware of China's political structure. Such a change cannot happen unless there is a coup d'?tat. It appears to be more of a wish for division within the Chinese leadership than a fact. At least procedurally, Chairman Xi has legitimacy. I have no intention whatsoever of supporting Chairman Xi, who will ascend as emperor this fall. To compete with China, one must observe China with a long-term perspective.

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