Mao, Deng ... and Xi? Presidential ally ‘tests the waters’ for change to Chinese Communist Party dogma
Aide’s comments signal president’s name may be added to party constitution, analyst says
Xi Jinping’s chief of staff has signalled how the Communist Party is likely to enshrine the president’s ideological legacy, with a public statement that the leader’s political philosophy is “basically complete”.
In an internal address given in February and published on the social media account of People’s Daily ’s overseas edition on Sunday night, Li Zhanshu, head of the General Office of the party’s Central Committee, said Xi’s key speeches formed a “complete theoretical system”.
“They cover all aspects of reform and stability, domestic and diplomatic affairs, military operations and party rule,” Li said.
Li is a trusted Xi ally and his office is the nerve centre of the leadership’s daily operations.
His comments – originally delivered to party bodies directly under the Central Committee – underscore a widely held belief that Xi will follow in his predecessors’ footsteps to have his political philosophy formally recognised in the party’s constitution when members gather later this year for the 19th national congress.
Political scientist Chen Daoyin, from Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said that by publishing the comments, the leadership was testing the waters for the party constitutional change.