The Communist Party of China has enshrined Xi Jingping’s political doctrine and his name in China’s Constitution. President Donald Trump has called it an extraordinary elevation. Xi’s thoughts will now be bracketed with those of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. School children will be indoctrinated with Xi’s thoughts which are known as “Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new Era”. It may sound like socialism with Chinese characteristics as propagated by Deng Xiaoping, arbiter of China’s destiny from 1975-1989. Deng blended capitalist economics with a socialist political system. Xi says that Deng’s thesis was not socialism though it brought a huge number of people in China out of poverty. In fact, according to neo-Maoists it engendered a climate of decadence. Inequality rose, workers were exploited and corruption flourished. Xi promises to create a society where collective interests will be secured. This outlook had for years enabled communism to prevail over capitalist systems in some countries.
Following Deng’s retirement, the Communist Party of China had been trying to address the problems of the legitimacy of his policies. Xi has rejected it and has presented his brand of socialism through what he calls the “China dream”. He wishes to pursue spiritual revival in China to realise the rejuvenation of the Chinese people. The anti-corruption campaign has been his major contribution to the great country. Nationalism has been intensified through military adventure and the expansion of the Chinese army. Xi stands for prosperity and stability. It has been said that he has replaced the cult of the personality by the cult of the Party. All this may be regarded with consternation by the rest of the peace loving world.
