This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63226230

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China Party Congress: Xi Jinping to cement grip on power at historic meeting China Party Congress: Xi Jinping defends zero-Covid as China party congress opens
(about 4 hours later)
Mr Xi has increasingly styled himself as a Mao-like figure Mr Xi has used his speech to defend his zero-Covid policy
China's President Xi Jinping is expected to cement his grip on power as a historic Communist Party congress kicks off in Beijing. China's President Xi Jinping has been defending his controversial zero-Covid strategy as a historic Communist Party congress kicks off in Beijing.
In a break in decades-long tradition, delegates are likely to hand Mr Xi a third term as party chief.In a break in decades-long tradition, delegates are likely to hand Mr Xi a third term as party chief.
It paves the way for him to become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. Zero-Covid was an "all out people's war to stop the spread of the virus", he said.
About 2,300 delegates are meeting to elect party leaders and debate key policies, which may include China's controversial zero Covid strategy. The policy has saved lives, but also exacted a punishing toll on the Chinese people and economy.
State media outlets have ramped up party propaganda in the lead-up to the week-long congress, with news coverage and TV shows highlighting China's achievements under Mr Xi's rule. There is increasing public fatigue over lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Amid the state fervour, Beijing has come under strict security measures and travel restrictions. It has sparked frustration in the city with a rare and dramatic public protest on Thursday criticising Mr Xi and zero Covid. Beijing has come under strict security measures ahead of the congress, sparking frustration in the city with a rare and dramatic public protest on Thursday criticising Mr Xi and zero Covid.
The policy has saved lives, but also exacted a punishing toll on the Chinese people and economy, and there is increasing public fatigue and anger over lockdowns and travel restrictions. Mr Xi also addressed the issue of Taiwan - which China claims as part of its territory. Self-governing Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
Xi's path to a historic third term, explained Beijing had "demonstrated resolve and ability to safeguard China's sovereignty… and to oppose Taiwan independence", he said to applause from delegates.
Xi Jinping: From princeling to president On Hong Kong, Mr Xi said China had exerted control there, turning the situation from "chaos to governance". Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on the territory after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
Mr Xi is expected to kick off the congress on Sunday with a long, formal speech using carefully chosen language, which analysts will be scouring for any hints of policy changes. Mr Xi also made reference to divisions within China's political establishment, saying his rule had "removed serious hidden dangers in the party".
Delegates are also expected to elect various leaders including the Politburo Standing Committee - China's equivalent of a presidential cabinet - who will present themselves to waiting media during the congress. Since reaching top office, Mr Xi has overseen a wide-reaching corruption crackdown extending to the highest echelons of the party. But critics have portrayed it as a political purge.
Mr Xi's speech dominates the first day of the congress - the choice of words has been workshopped for months and analysts will be poring over it for any signs of policy shifts.
The protest called for an end to zero-Covid and the overthrow of Mr Xi
A third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will pave the way for him to become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.
About 2,300 delegates are meeting to elect party leaders and debate key policies.
Over the course of the congress, delegates are also expected to elect various leaders including the Politburo Standing Committee - China's equivalent of a presidential cabinet - who will present themselves to waiting media during the congress.
In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party.In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party.
But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Mr Xi.But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Mr Xi.
In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communiqué days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him.In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communiqué days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him.
Mr Xi currently holds the three most powerful positions in China - general secretary of the CCP, chairman of the country's armed forces and president. He is expected to renew his term for the first two titles at the congress.Mr Xi currently holds the three most powerful positions in China - general secretary of the CCP, chairman of the country's armed forces and president. He is expected to renew his term for the first two titles at the congress.
The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.
Xi's path to a historic third term, explained
Xi Jinping: From princeling to president
The presidency also used to have a two-term limit in the country's constitution, put in place by reformer Deng Xiaoping to prevent the rise of a Mao-like figure.The presidency also used to have a two-term limit in the country's constitution, put in place by reformer Deng Xiaoping to prevent the rise of a Mao-like figure.
But Mr Xi has managed to eliminate this requirement: in 2018 China's rubber-stamp parliament abolished the rule, effectively allowing him to remain president for as long as he likes.But Mr Xi has managed to eliminate this requirement: in 2018 China's rubber-stamp parliament abolished the rule, effectively allowing him to remain president for as long as he likes.
Since taking power in 2012, Mr Xi has led China on a path that has been equal parts ambitious and authoritarian.Since taking power in 2012, Mr Xi has led China on a path that has been equal parts ambitious and authoritarian.
He has pushed for "a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", which saw him pursuing economic reform, reducing pollution and alleviating poverty.He has pushed for "a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", which saw him pursuing economic reform, reducing pollution and alleviating poverty.
Is Xi Jinping's poverty-busting "potato miracle" all that it seemsIs Xi Jinping's poverty-busting "potato miracle" all that it seems
Is Xi Jinping's poverty-busting "potato miracle" all that it seemsIs Xi Jinping's poverty-busting "potato miracle" all that it seems
He has also launched an anti-corruption campaign - which many saw as a way for him to rid his political enemies - as well as crackdowns on the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. He has also launched crackdowns on the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
But Mr Xi continues to face a multitude of challenges, such as youth unemployment, a slowing economy and the ongoing property crisis - and of course zero-Covid.But Mr Xi continues to face a multitude of challenges, such as youth unemployment, a slowing economy and the ongoing property crisis - and of course zero-Covid.
How zero-Covid is spoiling Xi's partyHow zero-Covid is spoiling Xi's party
"The question is whether during the congress we may see some statement saying, 'We've done well, we can move away from that now'," said Professor Rosemary Foot of Oxford University.
"The idea that the party has achieved victory and controlled the virus, that is an important message to send domestically and internationally."
But she added all signs currently point to a likely continuation of the policy.
Many will also be watching the congress to see if there will be any alteration to Beijing's foreign policy, especially towards the world's other superpower, the US.Many will also be watching the congress to see if there will be any alteration to Beijing's foreign policy, especially towards the world's other superpower, the US.
Mr Xi's attempts to expand China's influence abroad through the One Belt One Road programme and claims in the South China Sea, as well as its support of Russia in the Ukraine war, have raised tensions with the US and other countries. Mr Xi's attempts to expand China's influence abroad through the One Belt One Road programme and claims in the South China Sea, as well as its support of Russia in the Ukraine war and its recent military exercises around Taiwan have raised tensions with the US and other countries.
Under his direction China has also taken a more assertive position on Taiwan, a self-ruled island which Beijing views as part of its territory.
With Mr Xi remaining at the helm all these will continue to be core interests - though some experts believe he may temper China's approach in some aspects to pursue better trade relations with the US and regional partners.With Mr Xi remaining at the helm all these will continue to be core interests - though some experts believe he may temper China's approach in some aspects to pursue better trade relations with the US and regional partners.
"The CCP's political legitimacy lies in socioeconomic delivery," said Dr Collin Koh of Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies."The CCP's political legitimacy lies in socioeconomic delivery," said Dr Collin Koh of Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
"The average Chinese citizen will feel that things are not going very well, so there's a need to reinvigorate the kind of growth China has been more used to in recent decades"The average Chinese citizen will feel that things are not going very well, so there's a need to reinvigorate the kind of growth China has been more used to in recent decades