With more domestic power in the hands of Xi Jinping, many observers expect a more stable China. China analyst Ian Johnson diverts from that line and expects the current stability is a rather superficial one, he tells NBC.
NBC:
“Our trend, our goals, our path — all are certain,” [Xi] said.
But Johnson said China under Xi has a “superficial stability.”
“The system he’s set up seems somewhat brittle, especially since it flies in the face of how most countries have gotten prosperous and wealthy and how to make friends in the world,” he said.
Xi has also made himself vulnerable by identifying himself so closely with key policies like “zero-Covid,” which he says is necessary to save lives but has caused growing public frustration and economic costs.
“He has less ability to jettison somebody, especially now that he’s surrounded by his team entirely,” Johnson said. “If he gets rid of somebody, that’s one of his allies he’s getting rid of.”
“Our trend, our goals, our path — all are certain,” he said.
But Johnson said China under Xi has a “superficial stability.”
“The system he’s set up seems somewhat brittle, especially since it flies in the face of how most countries have gotten prosperous and wealthy and how to make friends in the world,” he said.
Xi has also made himself vulnerable by identifying himself so closely with key policies like “zero-Covid,” which he says is necessary to save lives but has caused growing public frustration and economic costs.
“He has less ability to jettison somebody, especially now that he’s surrounded by his team entirely,” Johnson said. “If he gets rid of somebody, that’s one of his allies he’s getting rid of.”
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