Xi Jinping has issued a rallying cry, but what is China on alert for?
- Current account deficit, mounting debt, growing hostility from abroad and slowing economy could be among the risks top cadres have been told to keep watch for
A current account deficit, mounting debt, growing hostility from abroad and a decelerating economy – which could hurt China’s political stability – could be among the “black swans” and “grey rhinos” worrying Beijing, analysts said.
They added that President Xi Jinping’s speech on Monday was a rallying cry for the country’s senior officials to fall into line, and to prepare for a turbulent year ahead.
He told the top cadres to stay alert for any “black swan”, or unforeseen, events and to take steps to prevent “grey rhinos”, the predictable but ignored threats.
The president also flagged a list of risks for officials to keep watch for: political, ideological, economic, technological, social and international threats, as well as those from within the party.
He made the remarks as China enters a politically sensitive year, with the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown on June 4 and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on October 1.