Sino File | China’s grand military display signals Xi is here to stay

The president is using the methods of some of Beijing’s greatest rulers, including a show of military force, to fortify his position as absolute ruler ahead of a crucial Communist Party conclave

Reading Time:2 minutes

China’s President Xi Jinping arrives for a ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:01pm, 6 Aug 2017Updated: 1:01pm, 6 Aug 2017

Foreign observers might infer that the ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Liberation Army are Beijing’s way of showing it is determined to protect its national sovereignty and interests.

The huge show of force in a parade in Inner Mongolia on Sunday and a grand cerebration gathering at Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People on Tuesday came amid rising territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas, escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes. The Asian giant is also mired in an ongoing standoff with India over territory on China’s border with Bhutan.

China’s military is stronger than ever, but is it strong enough?

A military parade was held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army at Zhurihe training base in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Photo: Xinhua

But the more important message from the high-profile activities was meant for a domestic audience. Extensive footage of the events by the state broadcaster CCTV was part of a well-calculated propaganda campaign to promote president and party chief Xi Jinping’s ( 習近平 ) image a few months before a crucial party conclave. The twice-a-decade congress in autumn will see a major reshuffle of leadership and cement Xi’s status.The son of a revolutionary is seeking to emulate the power of late leaders Mao Zedong ( 毛澤東 ) and Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平), who founded the republic after winning a civil war.

Visitors stand near a photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping and a depiction of the Chinese aircraft carrier during an exhibition to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army at the military museum in Beijing. Photo: AP

Xi obviously seeks an eternal status within the party, paralleling Mao and Deng. In speeches, he puts himself on a par with them, while deliberately omitting his two predecessors Jiang Zemin ( 江澤民 ) and Hu Jintao’s (胡錦濤) contribution to the army’s construction. Jiang and Hu, the former chairman of the Central Military Commission, were not invited to attend the activities, which apparently goes against traditional practice.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x