Hari Srinivasan: President Xi Jinping opened the twice-decade Congress of the Communist Party of China today with a long list of his accomplishments during his first five-year term, and his vision for where he hopes to take his nation.
But beyond words, Xi is asserting his authority in a way no Chinese leader has seen in decades.
William Brangham reports.
William Brangham: The applause, and the music, were a welcome reception befitting the leadership role Xi Jinping has played since his appointment as party leader five years ago.
He opened the day’s proceedings by praising his reforms and declaring – quote – “a new era for China.”
President Xi Jinping, China (through translator): The Chinese nation has made a great leap, from decline in modern history to fundamentally twisting its destiny and constantly moving toward prosperity.
William Brangham: Over the course of three-and-a-half hours, Xi laid out his vision for shaping the nation of 1.4 billion people into what he called — quote — “a great modern socialist state” over the next three decades.
President Xi Jinping (Through translator): Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not be easy, and it will take more than beating drums and ringing bells to get there. The entire party must be prepared to make more arduous and strenuous efforts.
William Brangham: Susan Shirk is president of the China Center for the 21st Century at the University of California, San Diego.
Susan Sherk, University of California, San Diego: Xi Jinping has a vision of China’s role in the world that is far more ambitious than anything we’ve seen before, and he talks about China moving toward the center of the world and having far greater influence than it did before.
William Brangham: In his speech, Xi largely ignored the issue of China’s political reforms, and did not mention President Trump or North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
But in a rare move, he acknowledged that with weak global demand, there were challenges facing China’s export-led economy.
President Xi Jinping (Through translator): While China’s overall productive forces have improved significantly, and in many areas, our production capacity leads the world, the most notable problem is that our development is unbalanced and insufficient.
William Brangham: Xi was one of the first foreign leaders to meet with President Trump.
President Donald Trump: I think the relationship that President Xi and I have developed is a wonderful relationship.
William Brangham: That was certainly warmer than Trump’s previous criticism of China and its economic and trade policies.
But other US officials are more critical of Beijing’s actions.
Rex Tillerson, Foreign Minister: Although China has risen alongside India, it has done so in a less responsible manner.
William Brangham: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today criticized China’s aggressive display of economic and military power, especially its expansion of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Rex Tillerson: We will not back down from the challenges China poses to the rules-based order, as China works to undermine the sovereignty of neighboring countries and harm the United States and our friends.
Susan Shirk: I think there are things to worry about in Chinese foreign policy that are mostly related to issues of maritime sovereignty and kind of bullying in Asia, but the global ambition may turn out to be positive.
William Brangham: Susan Shirk says China has filled the void left by the US withdrawal from global agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Climate Accords.
Perhaps the most important thing to watch in the next few days is who Xi will appoint as his potential successor.
Susan Shirk: That’s why there’s a lot of speculation now that he may, much like Putin, try to stay in power beyond his natural term or rule behind the scenes even after he retires.
William Brangham: President Trump is scheduled to travel to Beijing to meet with Xi next month.
On the PBS NewsHour, I’m William Brangham.
Xi Jinping celebrates China’s rising power — and his article first appeared on the PBS NewsHour.