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
Why China’s Vice Presidency is an Office to Watch
◎ The vice presidency has emerged as a focal point in an intense factional struggle (neidou) in the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party.
Wang Qishan’s Second Act: US-China Relations
◎ Xi Jinping could bring back trusted ally and seasoned troubleshooter Wang Qishan ahead of schedule to help even the odds.
Political Risk Watch: Decoding China’s Latest Anti-Organized Crime Campaign
◎ The new anti-organized crime campaign is likely aimed at sending a strong political signal and not merely addressing a common societal problem as in the earlier campaign.
Personnel Watch: Financial Officials Become Vice Mayors in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai
◎ The Xi leadership may want financial officials in local administrations who can better deal with economic problems and financial risks.
Political Watch: Decoding the Second Plenum
◎ The second plenum of the 19th Central Committee represents a break with the past in three ways.
Personnel Watch: An Updated Vice Premier Candidate Forecast
◎ If the vice premier list is more or less decided, then former anti-corruption chief Wang Qishan stands a higher chance of becoming Chinese vice president.
Political Risk Watch: Decoding the State Council’s New State-owned Asset Management Report Requirement
◎ The introduction of the new State Council state asset supervision requirement signals trouble for the Jiang faction.
China’s Commerce Ministry Tightens North Korea Sanctions After Release of ‘Secret Document’
◎ The trade restrictions include a complete ban on steel, industrial machinery and vehicles exports to North Korea, as well as limited exports of crude oil and petroleum.
Personnel Watch: January Reshuffle Sees Once Vacant Key Provincial Posts Filled
◎ Xi has made sweeping personnel reshuffles like the recent one at least twice since he took office in 2012.