Xi Jinping puts out a call to diplomats: toe the Communist Party line
Chinese president’s latest directives seen as a bid to shore up decision-making power and override interests of agencies involved in foreign affairs
President Xi Jinping has made a rallying cry for all Chinese involved in diplomacy to toe the Communist Party line amid spiralling trade tensions with the United States.
Analysts said the call was an effort to shore up decision-making power within the party as it seeks to override the interests of different agencies involved in the nation’s diplomatic affairs.
In a diplomatic work agenda meeting that wrapped up on Saturday, Xi said the authority of the party’s central leadership on foreign policy should be upheld, and any external work should be based on the Central Committee’s overall plan.
“Diplomacy represents the will of the state, and diplomatic power must stay with the party’s Central Committee,” Xi was quoted by state-run Xinhua as saying. He added that a strong contingent of foreign affairs personnel who were loyal to the party was needed.
Different agencies, including the nation’s legislature, military and local government departments, should ensure that the party’s external work directives were implemented, he said.
Xi’s order came as experts and policymakers are divided on how China should handle its trade conflict with the US, with some calling for tougher measures to restrict American investment while others say China should adjust its industrial policies.
Other directives issued during the meeting included boosting ties with developing nations, taking the lead on reforming global governance, and taking the nation’s “core interests” as the bottom line in safeguarding China’s sovereignty.