◎ CCP factional struggles are “you die, I live” and revolve around the preservation of interests and political legacies.
◎ Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong’s recent public appearance signals to the Jiang faction and allied interest groups that they still have clout in CCP elite politics.
◎ There is a pattern in recent years of “explosive information” about CCP elites being revealed during crucial periods in the factional struggle.
◎ We identify three broad strategic lines which the CCP is pursuing to hijack the discourse on Chinese influence.
Read moreInfluence Watch: The CCP is Hijacking the Discourse on Chinese Influence
◎ Xi reformed the chain of command of local national security agencies to wrest control of the intelligence apparatus from political rivals and further weaken the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
Read morePolitics Watch: Xi Consolidates Control Over Spy Apparatus with Local Gov’t Reforms
◎ We believe that a full-blown Sino-U.S. trade war is the catalyst that would set China on the path of tremendous change.
Read moreGeopolitics Watch: Sino-US Trade Conflict a Catalyst for Big Change in China