China’s Politburo wastes no time spreading Xi’s party congress message
- Study and propaganda for grass-roots members on the political meeting’s ‘spirit’ is now ‘primary task’ for party and country
- Momentum for the education push accelerated by Central Committee and series of explanatory articles from state news agency Xinhua
Study and propaganda work on implementing the spirit of the congress is now the primary political task for the party and the country, the meeting agreed, Xinhua said.
The meeting urged cadres to specifically learn about the party’s achievements since the 18th congress in 2012 when Xi became leader. It also rallied members to immerse themselves in the “Two Establishes” – a reference to establishing Xi’s status as China’s “core” leader, and establishing his political doctrine as the foundation of the “New Era”.
The new membership of the Central Committee – the party’s policymaking body – is already making arrangements for the study and promotion of the congress spirit across a range of organisations, including enterprises, institutions, city and rural communities, schools and universities, and the military, according to earlier reports.
The accelerated momentum for the educational push was reflected in a series of articles published by Xinhua, including a summary report on the genesis of the 20th congress work report and a lengthy profile of Xi.
According to Xinhua, it was the view of the congress that the establishment of Xi as the core of the party had led to the effective resolution of “outstanding contradictions and problems” affecting its long-term rule and stability.
The article also emphasised China’s pandemic control measures and its diplomatic strategy as further measures of Xi’s leadership success. His advocacy for building major new relationships with other countries was part of the 20th congress spirit, it said.
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“Xi said that one cannot be physically in the 21st century while one’s head is still stuck in the old days of Cold War mentality and zero-sum games,” Xinhua said.
“China has become an important factor in shaping the world’s political and economic landscape. A number of initiatives to address global issues have been effectively advanced because of Xi Jinping’s strong impetus.”
Xinhua said China’s collaboration with developing countries, including the Belt and Road Initiative, showcased Xi’s ability to develop overseas ties. The article also highlighted his offer of pandemic help to more than 150 countries, by making China-developed Covid-19 vaccines a global public good.
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Another report by Xinhua doubled down on the importance of responding to Xi’s call on the spirit of struggle and bracing for an increasingly hostile external environment.
For the first time, Xinhua also referred to Xi as “leader of the new journey”.
These articles, along with statements by some senior officials, have fuelled speculation that Xi will be given the formal title of “the people’s leader” – a term previously given only to Mao Zedong.
Xi is already explicitly referred to as “People’s Leader Xi Jinping” on state media websites, including Xinhua, People’s Daily and CCTV.
At a press conference during last week’s party congress, Tian Peiyan, the deputy director of the party’s top think tank the Central Policy Research Office, described Xi as “the outstanding figure of this great era and the people’s leader of all expectations”.
