Discussion of Xi Jinping's 'core' status and party decision‑making norms

HOST: If not dissent at least a little difference in opinion when those who don’t agree with him basically, because he’s in the constitution, are against the communist party. They can leave or they can put up with it, no middle ground or perhaps question? RLK: This is a very interesting point and it goes to the party concept of what they call democratic centralism and collective leadership. When Xi was appointed Core about a year ago, which was a very significant move, the party also said it was reaffirming collective leadership. Now that seems on its surface an oxymoron, contradictory, but in the Chinese system it was not, and it’s good to understand why. RLK: Xi has overarching decision making power which he didn’t have before he was made ‘core’. But he is obligated under the system to respect the system - ifhe continues to do so, and I certainly expect he will - to really listen to all of the opinions of the senior leaders, certainly the people in the standing committee. And to conduct substantial research, reviews with experts, and polling and iterative kinds of research that they do for all their major documents. So he is obligated to do such serious consultation under the party system. Now can he subvert it the way Mao did? | don’t think that’s really possible even if he tried and I don’t think he will do that. So it’s a combination of him now having the absolute power, no question about it, but still respecting party norms of how they go about the research and decision-making process. —— = *. - - ™ Te 2eyen & September 2 : 4 ' . 7emyy i : > HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_032640