China with Emperor or President

Sunday's announcement that China will lift the deadlines for the presidency's mandate paves the way for Xi Jinping to lead the country indefinitely. However, analysts warn that what appeared initially as a demonstration of absolute power could currently be a sign of weakness, with President Xi apparently unwilling to allow the establishment of a potential political rival.

This could lead to instability in the future in the world's most populated country, while potential followers seek power within the Communist Party, fully dominated by 64-year-old Xi Jinping.
And his absolute authority will also leave him vulnerable to absolute guilt in the event of an economic crisis or an external political crisis, this may be more likely since Xi Jinping's rule has so far been characterised by a military and diplomatic policy, while China seeks to enter the power vacuum left in Asia by retired Washington.

After Mao Zedong's death in 1976, the eve of the Cultural Revolution, during which tens of thousands of people were killed and the country was destroyed by civil war, his followers fled from one person's rule towards a consensus system where power was divided among a group of senior party officials.
This resulted in a relatively direct transition of power from President Jiang Zemin to Hu Jintao and to Xi Jinping, as each ruled for two five-year terms.

However, at the beginning of Xi Jinping's first term, it became clear that he would seek to change this trend. He was declared the leader of the Party, and state media began building his public image.

This culminated in the new official political doctrine “The decision of Xi Jinping”, which was added to the Party constitution last year at an important meeting in which Xi did not dominate a potential successor, adding speculation that he would continue to lead beyond 2023.

As far as most experts think there are divisions within the Communist Party -- such as the so-called Shanghai “Klica” about former President Jiang Zemin. Some argue that Xi's anti-corruption campaign itself is a means to combat potential enemies and rivals within the party.

According to analysts, Sunday's announcement sends the message to Xi's enemies at the helm of the party, which has been hit by the anti-corruption campaign, that he will not leave power. However, this could result in a reaction from within the party, as those hoping to escape the Xi storm now have no alternative but to fight against it to defend themselves.

The terms of mandates not only limit the power of individual leaders but give other elites the comfort that there will be an opportunity to change the queous after two mandates. By removing this deadline, Xi wants to be able to control and neutralise his opponents. However, this could cause greater levels of depression, both in society and within the state-party. A few of this depression appeared shortly after Sunday's announcement, when discussions and criticism in Chinese social media were soon censored and controlled.

One term that was fully censored was “Yan Sikai”, the former president of the Republic of China who dissolved a democraticly elected parliament in 1913 and declared himself emperor.

A statement signed by many renowned Chinese dissidents, including former leaders of the Tiananmen Square, Wang Dan and Wuéer Kaixi, also referred to the short-lived reign of “Emperor Hongxian”.

“We believe that lifting the mandate is the equivalent of restoring the imperial dynasty from Yuan Sikai, and is the implementation of a new imperial system. History has shown that eternal supreme rulership and tyranny are inseparable and will bring great disasters to the country and its people” in the statement.

While the immediate control of Xi's power leaves little room for doubt, as it enables him to implement the reforms and policies he wants, according to analysts, he will have very little chance of avoiding blame.

At that time a key test can come out of China. Xi's leadership in China's foreign and military policies is very clear.

In the South China Sea, Beijing has continued to militarize islands, reefs, and islands contrary to an international court ruling. China has recently sought to boost its military and economic influence in South Asia.

Under Xi's direction, China has also taken a tougher stance in Taiwan. Beijing considers the island itself part of its territory and has not ruled out military action to regain it.

Analysts warn that if the Chinese economy falls or in the event of a foreign political crisis like Taiwan, Xi's political powers could soon turn into obstacles.

For now, Xi Jinping is determined to lead China until he dies or decides to resign. / CNN/Transform for BalkanWeb: Alexandra Kola/