"Thank You Xi Jinping" NYT Columnist Expresses Gratitude to Xi Jinping, Here's Why

"Many flaws in the US, but better than China under Xi Jinping"

Chinese President Xi Jinping is presiding over the second session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] "Xi Jinping's third term will be recorded as one of the greatest moments of blessing in American history."

On the 19th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) published a column titled "Thank You, Xi Jinping" written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Brett Stevens. The column takes the form of a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is effectively heading toward lifelong rule through the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

In the letter beginning with "Dear Chairman Xi," he first said, "Please accept our country's gratitude and congratulations on beginning your third term as General Secretary."

Stevens recalled China at the time Xi took office, saying, "Holding that position for more than 10 years was very rare just 10 years ago." He added, "Ten years ago, many Western countries firmly believed that China, which was experiencing rapid growth at the time, would soon surpass the United States to become the world's largest economy. It was also generally accepted that a wealthy China would naturally expand its influence across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa."

He said, "It was thought that China would revive the ancient glory when it led the world economy and culture," and that this was the period when upper-class American parents proudly taught their children Chinese.

However, looking at China's current situation 10 years after Xi's rise to power, he pointed out that things are different now. The oppression of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang is comparable to the forced labor camps of the former Soviet Union, and the economic reforms promoted by Xi are essentially a regression to an inefficient state-owned enterprise system. He assessed that the risk of the U.S. economy being overtaken by China has disappeared.

Furthermore, he argued, "Although the American system and political leaders have flaws and their past strengths have faded, no one would want to choose the bleak China under Xi's regime as an alternative. This is why America should be thankful to Chairman Xi."

In fact, since Xi took office, China's economy has significantly slowed. Since Xi's rise to power in 2013, China's growth rate has fallen to the 7% range, dropped to the 6% range from 2015, and plunged to the 2% range after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Before Xi's leadership, China's economy recorded double-digit growth rates.

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