In 2017, Xi Jinping’s presence at Davos represented the first time a Chinese head of state attended, and the themes in his keynote suggested a different place for China in the international order.
Sue-Lin Wong, along with multiple guests on the podcast, sheds light on how Xi Jinping gained and consolidated power, but does not reflect on the role played by the CPC.
The swirl of rumours indicates that by making his leadership excessively opaque, Xi only helps fuel speculation.
China looks set for a new multi-faceted, autocratic and prolonged Cold War as it expands its footprint across the Indo Pacific.
Unlike in Mao’s era, domestic problems in China that affect its economic and political strength are likely to also affect the world in greater measure.
An alternative reading suggests that Wen believes that liberal universal values are worth fighting for – even in the context of China’s current repressive system.
China’s grand strategy under Xi Jinping is heading in a more assertive direction, yet still preserving a defensive-oriented foundation.
Without the possibility to independently think and freely express, that allows us to question the reality around us, there are no ideas and there is no creativity.
If Beijing were willing to learn from the American example, it could pave the way to a relationship with Taiwan comparable to that of the US with Canada.
A reassessment of how China wants to present itself to the world should come sooner than later, as it takes a long time to build a trustworthy reputation.
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