Xi Solidifies Party Dominance Over State Apparatus at Two Sessions
The first two days of the Two Sessions saw three developments that more firmly entrenched the Party’s domination over the state government.
POLITICS
Politics Watch: The Factional Struggle Behind China’s Constitutional Amendments
◎ We believe that Xi’s motivation for driving reform measures is his life-and-death struggle with the Jiang faction.
Politics Watch: What 19 Provincial Procuratorates Implementing ‘Unified Management’ of Lower Procuratorates Might Mean
◎ Xi’s various judicial reforms and his strengthening the Party’s leadership are aimed at weakening the power of local governments and strengthening the central government’s control over the provinces.
Politics Watch: Chongqing Chief Talks ‘Political Pollution’ in the City
◎ Chen Min’er’s remarks at the Two Sessions shows that the factional struggle inside the CCP is still very intense.
Questioning the Discourse on Xi Jinping’s ‘Power Grab’
◎ A CCP Central Committee decision to remove term limits for the president and vice president sparked a huge outcry in the media and the China-watching community.
Politics Watch: Decoding Wang Qishan’s Seating at the National People’s Congress Session
◎ Wang Qishan’s political standing is akin to that of an “eighth” Politburo Standing Committee member.
Personnel Watch: We Correctly Predicted the National People’s Congress Leadership
◎ Nine of the 13 NPC leaders we forecasted on Feb. 18 were confirmed on March 4.
Politics Watch: Why the 2018 National People’s Congress First Session is 3 Days Longer than the 2013 Edition
◎ On March 4, state media announced that the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress would be held from March 5 to March 20, or a period of 15 and a half days.
Politics Watch: Decoding Insider Intel on Changes to the National People’s Congress Meeting at the Two Sessions
◎ We believe that the NPC meeting this year is extended by three days for its members to deliberate the draft resolution proposed at the Third Plenum.
Personnel Watch: How We Scored on Forecasting the Top CPPCC Leadership
◎ The 11 recently confirmed CPPCC vice chairs and the CPPCC chairman are in our Feb. 18 forecast of key personnel reshuffles at the Two Sessions.