Socialism... with some Chinese Characteristics

This November held the 18th National Congress for the Communist Party of China. The opening ceremony began November 8 and it concluded November 14. The general secretary was Xi Jinping, Vice President who is destined to become the President of China in 2013. The opening ceremony on November eighth was opened with a speech by Hu Jintao, the current President.

All throughout China, the word ‘Reform’ seems to be whispered by all people. It was the theme of Hu Jintao’s message, as he laid out what he thought was a correct reform, using this word over eighty times in this single speech. He stated clearly that a reform of any type in China would begin with a restructuring of the political system. All the same, analysts and critiques are weighing his statements heavily. Reform could mean anything, and Hu stated that the holding up the leadership of the communist party would be a vital part of any change. He later mentioned, “We will never copy a Western political system.”

China is a country that clings to its past while constantly looking forward and demanding change. Since the establishment of communism in the 50’s, it has hardly gone a decade without a reform of some type. Hu has said interesting and provocative words, but his decade of power has made it clear that he does not have the heart of a reformer, which makes this transition to Xi so fascinating. As people debate what form of reform China is facing, they are staring at Xi Jinping and wondering who he is and what change he is bringing.

On November 15, the day after the National Congress ended, the Politburo met to discuss the and analyze their meetings from the previous week. The meeting was presided over by Xi, who made a speech, calling for the Politburo to develop “socialism with Chinese characteristics,” as he seems to fond to call the reform he in eager to implement. In this meeting, the Politburo outlined their blueprint of how, under new circumstances, they would encourage prosperity, advance socialist modernization and “win new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics” (Whatever that means).