The paramount event in China’s political calendar is taking place on the 18th of October, 2017. The National Congress of the Communist Party of China (NCCPC), as per party norms is taking place after five years to carefully assess the performance of the incumbent administration. Crucial decisions are anticipated to take place in wake of the changing geopolitical and geo-economic realities. However, it is rather unlikely that the new policies that come about are out of line with what is envisioned by Xi Jinping. Moreover, it is expected that his policies would be rather ‘rubber-stamped’ via the Communist state’s superior most institution.
The Chinese President is structuring the system around the ‘cult of his personality’, which credits him for allowing China to reach new zeniths of glory. According to the party tradition, Xi will open the Congress ceremony at the Great Hall Premises, where 3000 of most powerful party members from across the mainland would be present. The ceremony chief guests include Zhao Yunlei, an Olympics gold medalist and an astronaut, Jing Haipeng. It is noteworthy to mention that the oldest delegate in the assembly, Jiao Ruoyu, is a long-time party loyalist, having membership since 1936.
The national meeting would pay considerable attention to events unfolding in an international arena where forces of globalization are in retreat and issues such as North Korea’s nuclear proliferation threaten an all-out nuclear war. However, all these events would be assessed by the top party cadre in light of Chinese geo-economic interests. China presently has the highest volume of bilateral trade with United States (US) and India, both of whom have conflicts pertaining to the military domain. The former is involved in arming up adversaries in South China Sea, whereas the latter is involved in massive military buildup that threatens to shake regional military balance, particularly troublesome for all-time partner and ally, Pakistan. Such a scenario, analysts believe, would give the party-hardliners a more free-hand to dictate party politics and question the so-called ‘Peaceful Rise of China’.
The matter that would be given the maximum of attention would be the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI), whose success can change the position of China overnight, to levels unheard of in recent history, giving it a strategic lever that would be unhindered by American might.
The matter that would be given the maximum of attention would be the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI), whose success can change the position of China overnight, to levels unheard of in recent history, giving it a strategic lever that would be unhindered by American might. Joseph A. Schumpeter, renowned economist in his work Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942), gave the concept of ‘Creative Destruction’, believing that innovation and smart politics can amass a fortune of almost unprecedented value. However, where there are benefits involved, there are costs often hidden and unchecked. A number of regional and international players are discontented with the BRI, seeing it as an open challenge to their hegemonic interests. Its subsidiary project, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has not been received very well by India. The latter in recent times has been developing client to client relationship with US, the sole superpower. The two are working closely in military matters than ever before. India although officially claims its nuclear posture is solely for defensive purposes, has recently acquired Agni-IV missile has the capability to reach mainland China. Another matter of concern is that India would, by the next decade become the third largest economy enhancing the competition, coming next only to US and China.
Journalists and policy-makers continue to question the essence of ‘China’s Peaceful Rise’. They also debate whether a conflict over North Korea or the one in South China Sea could lead to a full-scale war considering the mounting pressure US puts on the one-party state by arming its competitors and adversaries alike. Another question that commands respect and is of considerable significance is put forward by investors, stockbrokers and bankers, if not statesmen. Although European statesmen have had an attention diversion towards Xi Jingping’s ‘Chinese Dream’ after Trump’s rather dubious policies on globalization and existing trade commitments. For now, all one can do is speculate the outcome. However, one thing is certain, the final power resides with Xi Jinping, who would ensure that decisions that come up do not in any way challenge the power and cult of the leader who according to the state media has brought the country to ‘new zeniths of glory.’
