China’s national legislature has sanctioned to intensify the Communist Party’s dominance over the central government, thereby bolstering President Xi Jinping’s control over state entities. This step formally brings the State Council, which supervises governmental ministries and local administrations, under the absolute power of the party. The National People’s Congress (NPC) deputies voted 2,883 to eight to modify the 1982 State Council Organic Law, with nine delegates abstaining.
The revised provisions impose a duty on the council to adhere to the party’s authority and ideology, encompassing Xi Jinping Thought. A draft of the altered law read, “The State Council must uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China; abide by the principles of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory … and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; actively uphold the Party Central Committee’s authority and its centralised and united leadership; unfailingly implement the Party Central Committee’s decisions and strategies.”
The legislation was finalised during the closing stages of the weeklong Two Sessions, concurrent assemblies of the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
The dominant presence at these meetings was Mr Xi, with the usual closing press briefing by Premier Li Qiang being cancelled.
While the party leadership has always held the maximum authority in the People’s Republic of China, the law of 1982, reflecting Deng Xiaoping’s intent, granted some autonomy to the central government. After assuming power over a decade ago, Mr Xi has aimed to increase the party’s strength, discipline and societal reach, evident from the increased party presence in corporate boards, universities and local residents’ groups.
In recent times, Mr Xi transferred some duties from the State Council to fall directly under the party’s control. The Two Sessions were beleaguered by concerns over China’s economic trajectory following a lesser than anticipated recovery post the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. The Government Work Report, presented by Mr Li and sanctioned by the NPC, proposed a series of provisions to spur economic activities.
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This year, the agenda includes the issuance of RMB 1 trillion (€128 billion) in long-term bonds, a pattern that might be replicated annually for several years to come. However, there were no declarations regarding direct payouts to the public or significant enhancements to social welfare benefits. Numerous economists believe such measures are more successful in motivating consumers to spend.
By 2024, Beijing has established the economic growth goal at roughly 5 per cent of the gross domestic product, with the expectation of generating 12 million new roles for the youth. A large part of the economic emphasis, however, was on the long-term strategy of investing in cutting-edge manufacturing and technologies like artificial intelligence. This initiative is regarded as “new productive forces” by Mr. Xi.
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