Xi Jinping’s strong leadership style has its risks, but also advantages

The announcement that China’s Communist Party intends to drop the term limit on the presidency may come as little surprise to those following Xi Jinping’s rise. The establishment of “Xi Jinping Thought” in the party charter, along with the lack of a successor, are two indications of China’s increasingly authoritarian rule. 

Xi hopes to paint himself as a benevolent, paternal leader of China. The people, however – along with international leaders – may not be quite as enamoured as Xi had hoped. Xi’s position relies on his power and control over freedom of speech rather than on the propaganda for which China is usually so well known.

China has long struggled with its image abroad. The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing marked China’s new era of soft power, where it had the opportunity to show off its new status as a modern, economically powerful country. Since Xi stepped into the presidency five years later, he has built on that foundation. The image of China as a benevolent world economic leader, through projects like the “Belt and Road Initiative” and investments in developing countries like Libya and Sudan. has been projected by state media and politicians alike. 

Perhaps this is indicative of his desire to reclaim national unity; his contribution to China shaking off past humiliations. China wishes to reconcile its old greatness as the Middle Kingdom with its new position in a modern world, and merging old values with new economic leadership is a uniquely Chinese style of leadership. Perhaps Xi wants Confucian filial piety and deference.