Beyond Surprises: Evaluating China's Post-20th Party Congress Leadership Lineup

Given the opaque nature of the leadership changes prior the 20th Party Congress, the announcement of the composition of the Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee will surely surprise many observers of Chinese elite politics.

In conversation with National Committee President Stephen Orlins, Cheng Li provides fresh insights into the main surprises on the personnel front. In addition, Dr. Li discusses whether the appointments reveal any shifts in the balance of power and factional fault lines in Zhongnanhai, what the new leadership suggests about the trajectory of domestic and foreign policy, and what Xi Jinping might have signaled regarding future political succession.

This webinar was conducted at 10:00 a.m. on October 26, 2022, three days after the conclusion of the Party Congress.

3:05 What is the structure of the Chinese Communist Party?

7:07 Who will be on the Politburo Standing Committee?

10:20 What are the surprises coming out of the 20th Party Congress?

23:31 What will China's foreign policy and economy teams look like?

31:03 How many Politburo members are foreign-educated?

32:59 What are Xi Jinping's priorities in his next term?

38:30 What happened to Hu Chunhua and Hu Jintao?

42:45 Is Qin Gang's ascension to Foreign Minister attributed to his relationship with Xi Jinping?

51:01 What will be the role of the State Council?

55:08 What are the implications for the Taiwan Affairs Office?

58:23 How has China's middle class responded to these appointments?

About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/20th-party-congress/

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