
With some excellent insights into modern China, this blog published in the China Daily Mail is a recommended read.
Former president Jiang Zemin and family members visit Dongshan Ridge in Hainan.
I have pointed out in my book Tiananmen’s Tremendous Achievements (Expanded 2nd Edition) that there are three black boxes in China: The CCP Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), the group of powerful elders who control China behind the scene and the secret police.
I described how Xi Jinping obtained the powerful elders’ support for his cyclone to fight rampant corruption, official despotism, extravagance, bureaucratism and hedonism in early September, during his mysterious absence (refer to Chapter 15 The Mystery of Xi Jinping’s Absence in September, 2012—Xi’s Inaction before and Xi Cyclone after His Absence of my book).
Now, as Xi’s anti-corruption storm and mass line campaign have offended many powerful officials, Jiang Zemin has had to leave his mansion of retirement in Shanghai to stay in Beijing, and provide the most powerful support of the group of elders.
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Dr Alf may see the situation differently with the rivalry creating internal strife in the “Middle Kingdom” and some Western leaders may see an opportunity for mischief making.
In the present volatile state of the world these Western leaders should be careful what they wish for and remain unattached but vigilant.
Jiang Zemin is popular with the Chinese military, who favour taking a much harder line against America and the West.
Xi is more popular with the people and despite recent economic difficulties is tough and fleet of foot enough to stay ahead of the curve, reposition the Chinese economy and thus be in a position to allow the military buildup to continue at 11.5% a year.
Rooting out corruption gives ordinary people hope and it helps to move China up the various UN indices such as HDI and the Corruption Perception index.
These are critical to ratings agencies and to inward investors considering where to put their money in one country versus another.
My money is on Xi as the more farsighted and strategic of the two men who the West would find it easiest to do business with in the long run and who our leaders will have to deal with for good or ill.