China’s biggest political event, the Communist Party Congress, has begun in Beijing under tight security.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has been addressing more than 2,000 delegates in the capital for about three hours now.The closed-door summit, which takes place once every five years, determines who rules China and the country’s direction for the next term.
Mr Xi, who became the leader in 2012, has been consolidating power and is expected to remain as party chief.
The Congress, which also decides on a roadmap for China for the next five years, is expected to finish next week.
Shortly after the congress ends, the party is expected to unveil the new members of China’s top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, who will steer the country.
In his speech, Mr Xi listed China’s recent achievements, saying that “socialism with Chinese characteristics in this new era” meant China had “become a great power in the world”, and added that the country should not copy foreign political systems.
He also:
Briefly described a two-stage plan for China’s “socialist modernization”, to be achieved by 2050
Warned against separatism – in an apparent reference to movements in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong – and reiterated the government’s principle that Taiwan is part of China
Said China “would not close its doors to the world” and promised further economic reform, including lowering barriers for foreign investors
Mr Xi also mentioned his wide-reaching corruption crackdown within the Party that has punished more than a million officials, report BBC correspondents in Beijing.
Beijing is decked out in welcome banners and festive displays for the Congress.
However, the capital is also on high alert. Long lines were seen earlier this week at railway stations due to additional checks at transport hubs.
The Congress has also affected businesses, with some restaurants, gyms, nightclubs and karaoke bars reportedly shutting down due to tightened security rules, and accommodation-booking websites like Airbnb cancelling bookings in central Beijing.
An austerity drive, instituted by Mr Xi, has meant a more pared down Congress, with Chinese reports this week of delegates’ hotels cutting back on frills such as decorations, free fruit in rooms and lavish meals.
Many observers believe Mr Xi will further cement his position within the Party during the Congress.
State media have said the Party is expected to rewrite its constitution to include Mr Xi’s “work report” or political thoughts, which would elevate him to the status of previous Party giants Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
Since becoming president, Mr Xi has tightened control within the Party and also in Chinese society, with increasing censorship and arrests of lawyers and activists.
Under Mr Xi, China’s modernisation and reform have also accelerated, as has its assertiveness on the world stage.
He continues to enjoy widespread support among ordinary citizens in China.
How CCP chooses leaders
Every five years, the eyes of the world turn to China as the ruling Communist Party holds its congress.
The event determines who will lead the Party. Those people will go on to lead the 1.3 billion people of China – most of whom don’t get a say – and helm the world’s second-largest economy.
The 19th Congress will begin on 18 October and while significant leadership changes are expected current Party leader and Chinese President Xi Jinping is widely expected to stay in the top job.
What does the Congress do?
In mid-October, Communist Party of China (CPC) delegates from across China will meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The party has 2,300 delegates – although only 2,287 have been elected to attend, with reports suggesting the remaining 13 delegates were disqualified because of “improper behaviour”.
Behind closed doors, those CPC delegates will elect the powerful Central Committee, which has about 200 members.
This committee, in turn, elects the Politburo and from that, the Politburo Standing Committee is chosen.
Those are China’s real decision-making bodies. The Politburo currently has 24 members, while the Standing Committee has seven, although these numbers have varied over the years.
While there is a vote, in reality, many of these people have already been handpicked by the current leadership, and the committee just approves their edict.
The Central Committee also elects the Party’s top leader – the general secretary – who becomes the country’s president. That is, and will most likely continue to be, Xi Jinping.
What do we expect this year?
The 19th Congress will be closely watched for two main things.
First, Mr Xi will deliver a lengthy report that will be scrutinised by analysts for signs of China’s political policy direction for the next five years.
Secondly, the Politburo Standing Committee is expected to be nearly completely refreshed.
In recent years, the party has set informal term and age limits on certain posts. Most Politburo members are expected to step down as they are past the informal retirement age of 68.
They include Wang Qishan, head of the anti-corruption agency, although as a key Xi ally he may be persuaded to stay.
Mr Xi and Premier Li Keqiang are in their early 60s.
We would normally expect to see a new line-up of future leaders presented to the public at the congress – including a possible eventual successor to Mr Xi – who would take over in five years’ time.
However, there is some speculation Mr Xi might break with tradition this time around and delay this step.
What else does it mean for Xi Jinping?
It’s likely there’ll be a further overall consolidation of power by Mr Xi.
He has assumed an unprecedented number of positions since coming to power in 2012, including the title of a “core” leader of China, which puts him on par with past political giants like Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
There are likely to be more of his allies placed in leadership positions at the Congress, and we may see the enshrining of his policies, known as “Xi Jinping Thought”, in the party charter.
That move would again place him on the level of Mao in Chinese political history.
Some believe he may even announce a move that would extend his rule past the traditional two-term limit for the presidency.
Since becoming president in 2012, Mr Xi has spearheaded a sweeping anti-corruption campaign which has seen more than a million officials disciplined. It has been seen by some as a massive internal purge of opponents.
A movement dubbed by some as “the cult of Xi” has also emerged, with propaganda songs dedicated to him and a deluge of positive press in state media, who have coined a nickname
What does this mean for the rest of the world?
Analysts believe that while a major reshuffle of the Standing Committee could herald some policy changes, by and large China would continue on the same track, with Mr Xi still at the helm to ensure stability.
At home, China’s five-year economic reform plan is still in play, as is Mr Xi’s anti-corruption campaign and growing authoritarian rule.
China’s push for the spotlight on the global stage, fronted by Mr Xi, is also expected to continue.
This ranges from the controversial South China Sea expansion and the One Belt One Road trade project to China’s positioning as the alternative superpower compared to the US under President Donald Trump.
But one tricky question that remains is North Korea and its ongoing nuclear crisis.
Some analysts believe that China would continue to hold back from taking decisive action as, even after the Congress
Mr Xi addressed the delegates at the start of the week-long meeting.
its new leadership would still be “mired in internal debate” on how to handle its hot-tempered neighbour. – BBC
