October 2022, the Chinese Communist Party just came to a close with a boom. This eventful meeting is guiding China’s development in the next years. What it means for China and the world in this article. By none other than Kungfucius himself.
The meeting
The CCP national congress took place in Beijing from 16th to 22nd of October 2022 in the Great Hall of the People – which is located on the western edge of the Tiananmen square. Several thousand people took part in the meeting from all areas of China.
Who was led out of the room?!
One of the most iconic moments of the meeting was during the last day, when former president Hu Jintao was led out of the room. Internationally, this made major headlines while in China, the information was not shared by state controlled media. This happened when international media was allowed into the room.
Being witnessed by more than 5000 people live, there is no question that many people will remember or talk about this incident.
China’s state owned media mentioned towards international media, that the incident was triggered by health concerns towards Hu Jintao.
The voting in comparison to voting at other party congress meetings
The voting was unanimously prolonging the presidency of Xi Jinping by five years. This voting result is common in many aspects but uncommon when it comes to rather controversial votes. In 1992, a total of 177 voted against the Three Gorges Dam and 644 abstained. The implementation of the one-child policy in the 1970s and 1980s was debated controversially within the Chinese Communist party.
The 100% vote in favor for another five year presidency of Xi Jinping is not that common.
The new Standing Committee and President of the P.R.C.
Xi Jinping was confirmed as president for another five years as widely expected. Yet, this confirmed the changed term limits for presidents as changed in the previous meeting. Plus: the age limit of 68 years was broken by members of the committee.
Finally, potential successors from the 2012 meeting, namely Hu Chunhua and Sun Zhengcai did not play a role in this meeting. Sun Zhengcai being a former politician.
Within the ranks of the new standing committee, it is not clear who could follow Xi Jinping as president in five years, hence, it is likely another five year term is planned.
Most important points of the five year plan 2021 onwards
The five year plan to start in 2021 has the following focus points:
- Reproductive health and gentech
- Gentech and seed research
- General R&D
- Quantum computing and semiconductor industry
- AI
- Exploration of deep sea, space and polar areas
The country is expected to develop alongside these lines.
Xi Jinping’s concluding speech
President Xi mentioned that there are difficult times ahead. The financial and economic prosperity that was a main point during the presidencies of Hu and Jiang are a bit less often mentioned and more focus put on stability and resilience.