China's annual meeting of the Communist Party which is the biggest political event began today at a time when President Xi Jinping is facing the biggest political crisis of his career.

Two years ago during the annual meeting of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping was in the spotlight when the Communist Party of China abolished term limits on the presidency - it made Xi Jinping president for life.

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The removal of term limits strengthened Xi Jinping's hand which was the boldest move of his political career. A move&nbsp;that gave him a tighter grip on the Communist Party and his country.

He was being compared to Mao Zedong, China's founding father, however, in the last two years a lot has changed. Xi Jinping is back at the same venue, he is still the supreme leader of China but the halo has faded.

Today, he is a man in the dock. He is being held responsible for a global pandemic and is a leader under siege. He will be addressing his country's most powerful political gathering to fix his reputation.

The event kicked off today. It is popularly called two sessions which are two separate affairs but, both events are held together. On Thursday was round one. It is called the Chinese people's political consultative conference which is a meeting of China's top political advisory committee.

Xi Jinping was of course present surrounded by party loyalists in masks but he wasn't wearing one. It was a gathering to discuss and give proposals to the government. The main event starts on Friday - the National People's Congress(NPC).

The NPC is where laws are made. The two sessions are highly choreographed events. The Communist Party decides what needs to be done and sets the agenda for the year even as other party members just approve it - no questions asked.

However, this year, more pomp and propaganda are expected because the two sessions were delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, the event, is a chance for China to show the world that it has tamed the beast. It's as if the extravaganza will overshadow the international criticism and at the center of the entire affair stands Xi Jinping, all eyes will be on the Chinese president.

Xi is currently weak on four counts - jobs, debt, global scrutiny and fraying global ties. First, the Chinese economy which isn't looking good with growth derailed and millions out of jobs. Second, China can't recover loans, it has loaned billions of dollars to smaller countries which they can't pay back.

Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road juggernaut has come to a grinding halt. China's banks are on the brink of implosion. Third, the global pressure is mounting as&nbsp;questions over China's handling of the outbreak have been growing louder even as international investigation looms.&nbsp;

And finally, the diplomatic fires. The complete collapse in the relationship with the United States and Australia.

The many disputes triggered by "wolf warriors" or the confrontational diplomats of China. Xi Jinping is not expected to take address any of these issues, let alone take questions but, they remain as the elephant in the room.

Under normal circumstances, this occasion would have been a reason to celebrate for President Xi, it would have marked the halfway point of his second term with no clear challenge to his leadership, he would have been paving the road for a third term in 2023.

The Chinese press would have celebrated his leadership but none of it&nbsp;is happening. The Chinese President is now fighting a fire.

China's annual meeting of the Communist Party which is the biggest political event began today at a time when President Xi Jinping is facing the biggest political crisis of his career.

China's annual meeting of the Communist Party which is the biggest political event began today at a time when President Xi Jinping is facing the biggest political crisis of his career. Two years ago during the annual meeting of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping was in the spotlight when the Communist Party of China abolished term limits on the presidency - it made Xi Jinping president for life. The removal of term limits strengthened Xi Jinping's hand which was the boldest move of his political career. A move that gave him a tighter grip on the Communist Party and his country. He was being compared to Mao Zedong, China's founding father, however, in the last two years a lot has changed. Xi Jinping is back at the same venue, he is still the supreme leader of China but the halo has faded. Today, he is a man in the dock. He is being held responsible for a global pandemic and is a leader under siege. He will be addressing his country's most powerful political gathering to fix his reputation. The event kicked off today. It is popularly called two sessions which are two separate affairs but, both events are held together. On Thursday was round one. It is called the Chinese people's political consultative conference which is a meeting of China's top political advisory committee. Xi Jinping was of course present surrounded by party loyalists in masks but he wasn't wearing one. It was a gathering to discuss and give proposals to the government. The main event starts on Friday - the National People's Congress(NPC). The NPC is where laws are made. The two sessions are highly choreographed events. The Communist Party decides what needs to be done and sets the agenda for the year even as other party members just approve it - no questions asked. However, this year, more pomp and propaganda are expected because the two sessions were delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, the event, is a chance for China to show the world that it has tamed the beast. It's as if the extravaganza will overshadow the international criticism and at the center of the entire affair stands Xi Jinping, all eyes will be on the Chinese president. Xi is currently weak on four counts - jobs, debt, global scrutiny and fraying global ties. First, the Chinese economy which isn't looking good with growth derailed and millions out of jobs. Second, China can't recover loans, it has loaned billions of dollars to smaller countries which they can't pay back. Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road juggernaut has come to a grinding halt. China's banks are on the brink of implosion. Third, the global pressure is mounting as questions over China's handling of the outbreak have been growing louder even as international investigation looms. And finally, the diplomatic fires. The complete collapse in the relationship with the United States and Australia. The many disputes triggered by "wolf warriors" or the confrontational diplomats of China. Xi Jinping is not expected to take address any of these issues, let alone take questions but, they remain as the elephant in the room. Under normal circumstances, this occasion would have been a reason to celebrate for President Xi, it would have marked the halfway point of his second term with no clear challenge to his leadership, he would have been paving the road for a third term in 2023. The Chinese press would have celebrated his leadership but none of it is happening. The Chinese President is now fighting a fire.

President Xi in spotlight as China's annual party meet begins

A Beijing-based trio of activists that published censored articles on China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak have gone&nbsp;missing.

Cai Wei, a woman surnamed Tang and Chen Mei&nbsp;were contributors to a crowd-sourced project called 'Terminus-2049'.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalist-jailed-for-15-years-as-chinese-government-intensifies-free-speech-clampdown-296111" hreflang="en">Journalist jailed for 15-yrs as Chinese govt intensifies free-speech clampdown</a>

This project began in 2018 and was collecting articles and stories that were being removed from social media and news portals.

This project existed on Git-Hub, the world's largest open-source website that is a haven for Chinese activists to circumvent the great firewall on censored content.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-starbucks-number-one-chinese-competitor-imploded-296169" hreflang="en">How Starbucks' number one Chinese competitor imploded?</a>

However, the terminus has now disappeared in China along with&nbsp;the activists running it. They have been missing since April 19.

According to reports, they were detained by Chinese police and are being held at an unknown location.

The charges against them are ''picking quarrels and provoking trouble''.

And the fault of these activists was that they were trying to highlight the reality about the misdiagnosis of patients in China about the deaths of patients after they were discharged.

Anyone who fails to adhere to the rules of the Chinese regime has been punished brutally in the past.

The most famous example is that of an interview with Ai Fen, the whistle-blower doctor at Wuhan Central Hospital.

Her interview was published in the March edition of the People's&nbsp;magazine China's but was removed within hours after it got published.

The Beijing-based trio&nbsp;discovered that interview and re-published it Git-Hub.&nbsp;It was because of this reason that they are being held captive.

These journalists might be released later after they have been re-educated and they have agreed to change their opinions.

This has been seen&nbsp;in the case of Li Zehua,&nbsp;a 25-year-old citizen journalist who disappeared for two months for reporting from Wuhan.

However, he has re-appeared a few days&nbsp;ago and is singing praises of his captors.

A Beijing-based trio of activists that published censored articles on China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak have gone missing. Cai Wei, a woman surnamed Tang and Chen Mei were contributors to a crowd-sourced project called 'Terminus-2049'.

A Beijing-based trio of activists that published censored articles on China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak have gone missing. Cai Wei, a woman surnamed Tang and Chen Mei were contributors to a crowd-sourced project called 'Terminus-2049'. Also read: Journalist jailed for 15-yrs as Chinese govt intensifies free-speech clampdown This project began in 2018 and was collecting articles and stories that were being removed from social media and news portals. This project existed on Git-Hub, the world's largest open-source website that is a haven for Chinese activists to circumvent the great firewall on censored content. Also read: How Starbucks' number one Chinese competitor imploded? However, the terminus has now disappeared in China along with the activists running it. They have been missing since April 19. According to reports, they were detained by Chinese police and are being held at an unknown location. The charges against them are ''picking quarrels and provoking trouble''. And the fault of these activists was that they were trying to highlight the reality about the misdiagnosis of patients in China about the deaths of patients after they were discharged. Anyone who fails to adhere to the rules of the Chinese regime has been punished brutally in the past. The most famous example is that of an interview with Ai Fen, the whistle-blower doctor at Wuhan Central Hospital. Her interview was published in the March edition of the People's magazine China's but was removed within hours after it got published. The Beijing-based trio discovered that interview and re-published it Git-Hub. It was because of this reason that they are being held captive. These journalists might be released later after they have been re-educated and they have agreed to change their opinions. This has been seen in the case of Li Zehua, a 25-year-old citizen journalist who disappeared for two months for reporting from Wuhan. However, he has re-appeared a few days ago and is singing praises of his captors.

Activists disappear after publishing articles on China's handling of coronavirus

While the Red Cross is considered as a humanitarian agency for the rest of the world, for China it is a tool in its kitty.

China's Red Cross has&nbsp;has been built, funded and directed by the Communist Party of China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-prohibits-coronavirus-themed-zombie-video-game-295578" hreflang="en">China prohibits coronavirus-themed zombie video game</a>

Although it is a voluntary humanitarian organization whose aim is to protect human life.

In China, it has effectively become an arm of the&nbsp;Communist Party and does not cater to the needs of the people.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-accuses-australia-of-petty-tricks-in-coronavirus-dispute-295474" hreflang="en">China accuses Australia of 'petty tricks' in coronavirus dispute</a>

According to a video shared from Wuhan last week, government officials were seen picking up N-95 masks from the warehouse of Red Cross.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FNZVNi-V0RM" width="560"></iframe>

However, the same warehouse turned down medics who wanted medical supplies.

The Red Cross in China hardly used the money donated to it during the coronavirus outbreak by&nbsp;several major companies like General Motors, luxury goods company Lvmh and Honda.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/184-countries-going-through-hell-trump-blames-china-for-coronavirus-spread-295459" hreflang="en">'184 countries going through hell': Trump blames China for coronavirus spread</a>

Out of the 56 million dollars donated to the organisation, it only used seven million dollars.

According to media reports, it was merely following the instructions of Red Tape,&nbsp;the highly bureaucratic setup that is closely tied to the Communist Party.

China's Red Cross is often referred to as&nbsp;''gongo'' or&nbsp;a government organised NGO.

It has acted as the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party for several years now.

China's political top brass has often been invited to head it. The&nbsp;list of its honorary chairmen in the past includes Vice-President Wang Qishan and Xi Jinping's predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.

But&nbsp;where the Communist Party goes scandals follow.&nbsp;

In 2008, the donations of the Red Cross tumbled due to a corruption scandal.

According to a report, 80 per cent of the 12 million dollars donated for the earthquake in Sichuan province, was&nbsp;funneled into coffers of the Chinese government and was recorded as an ''extra revenue''.

It was because of this controversy that people stopped donating and calling the organisation as China's Black Cross.

Little seems to have changed more than a decade later. Red Cross failed to utilise donations made to it for Wuhan.

It appears that critical supplies such as the facial masks also went to the government instead of the people.

Red Cross is still serving its master, the Communist Party of China.

While the Red Cross is considered as a humanitarian agency for the rest of the world, for China it is a tool in its kitty. China's Red Cross has has been built, funded and directed by the Communist Party of China.

While the Red Cross is considered as a humanitarian agency for the rest of the world, for China it is a tool in its kitty. China's Red Cross has has been built, funded and directed by the Communist Party of China. Also read: China prohibits coronavirus-themed zombie video game Although it is a voluntary humanitarian organization whose aim is to protect human life. In China, it has effectively become an arm of the Communist Party and does not cater to the needs of the people. Also read: China accuses Australia of 'petty tricks' in coronavirus dispute According to a video shared from Wuhan last week, government officials were seen picking up N-95 masks from the warehouse of Red Cross. However, the same warehouse turned down medics who wanted medical supplies. The Red Cross in China hardly used the money donated to it during the coronavirus outbreak by several major companies like General Motors, luxury goods company Lvmh and Honda. Also read: '184 countries going through hell': Trump blames China for coronavirus spread Out of the 56 million dollars donated to the organisation, it only used seven million dollars. According to media reports, it was merely following the instructions of Red Tape, the highly bureaucratic setup that is closely tied to the Communist Party. China's Red Cross is often referred to as ''gongo'' or a government organised NGO. It has acted as the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party for several years now. China's political top brass has often been invited to head it. The list of its honorary chairmen in the past includes Vice-President Wang Qishan and Xi Jinping's predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. But where the Communist Party goes scandals follow. In 2008, the donations of the Red Cross tumbled due to a corruption scandal. According to a report, 80 per cent of the 12 million dollars donated for the earthquake in Sichuan province, was funneled into coffers of the Chinese government and was recorded as an ''extra revenue''. It was because of this controversy that people stopped donating and calling the organisation as China's Black Cross. Little seems to have changed more than a decade later. Red Cross failed to utilise donations made to it for Wuhan. It appears that critical supplies such as the facial masks also went to the government instead of the people. Red Cross is still serving its master, the Communist Party of China.

Red Cross: From humanitarian agency to a tool in China's kitty

China is going to&nbsp;prosecute a Belizean citizen for his alleged involvement in providing funds to “meddle” in Hong Kong affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Friday.

The newspaper backed by the ruling Communist Party,&nbsp;said security authorities concluded their investigation against Lee Henley Hu Xiang to the Guangzhou prosecutorate. Lee will be prosecuted, the report said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-arrests-belizean-taiwanese-citizens-over-alleged-meddling-in-hong-kong-affairs-265421">China arrests Belizean, Taiwanese citizens over alleged meddling in Hong Kong affairs</a>

He is the first overseas national to be charged with working with foreign groups to intervene in Hong Kong.

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''Investigations by the national security agency confirmed that the suspect provided a large amount of funds to hostile elements in the United States, colluded with foreign anti-China forces to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, and funded the implementation of criminal activities that endangered our national security,''&nbsp;the paper said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warship-sails-through-sensitive-taiwan-strait-for-the-second-time-in-a-month-294403" hreflang="en">US warship sails through sensitive Taiwan Strait for the second time in a month</a>

Lee is cititizen of Central American country&nbsp;a Belize. He&nbsp;was arrested in November in Guangzhou.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-patients-hospitalised-with-covid-19-had-chronic-health-issues-says-study-294411" hreflang="en">Most patients hospitalised with COVID-19 had chronic health issues, says study</a>

His current whereabouts are unknown and he has made no public comments on the charges.

Hong Kong is governed under the ''One Country, Two Systems''&nbsp;principle which is supposed to provide for a level of independence to it that other cities in China do not have.

There have been no mass protests in Hong Kong since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

City authorities, however, led a surprise crackdown on Sunday where they arrested 15 prominent pro-democracy figures in the city.

It&nbsp;has been the site of massive pro-democracy protests since last year, with millions taking to the streets to demonstrate against what local residents have seen as increasing interference from mainland China, overpowering the local government.

China is going to prosecute a Belizean citizen for his alleged involvement in providing funds to “meddle” in Hong Kong affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Friday.

China is going to prosecute a Belizean citizen for his alleged involvement in providing funds to “meddle” in Hong Kong affairs, a Chinese newspaper reported on Friday. The newspaper backed by the ruling Communist Party, said security authorities concluded their investigation against Lee Henley Hu Xiang to the Guangzhou prosecutorate. Lee will be prosecuted, the report said. Also read: China arrests Belizean, Taiwanese citizens over alleged meddling in Hong Kong affairs He is the first overseas national to be charged with working with foreign groups to intervene in Hong Kong. Also read: Anti-viral drug being hailed as coronavirus cure, fails first clinical trial ''Investigations by the national security agency confirmed that the suspect provided a large amount of funds to hostile elements in the United States, colluded with foreign anti-China forces to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, and funded the implementation of criminal activities that endangered our national security,'' the paper said. Also read: US warship sails through sensitive Taiwan Strait for the second time in a month Lee is cititizen of Central American country a Belize. He was arrested in November in Guangzhou. Also read: Most patients hospitalised with COVID-19 had chronic health issues, says study His current whereabouts are unknown and he has made no public comments on the charges. Hong Kong is governed under the ''One Country, Two Systems'' principle which is supposed to provide for a level of independence to it that other cities in China do not have. There have been no mass protests in Hong Kong since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. City authorities, however, led a surprise crackdown on Sunday where they arrested 15 prominent pro-democracy figures in the city. It has been the site of massive pro-democracy protests since last year, with millions taking to the streets to demonstrate against what local residents have seen as increasing interference from mainland China, overpowering the local government.

China to prosecute American citizen for alleged meddling in Hong Kong

Dr. Ai Fen is a doctor at the Wuhan Central Hospital. She was perhaps among the first doctors to discover the Wuhan virus. After speaking out against the authorities, Dr. Ai Fen has gone missing. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the Ai Fen revelations.

Gravitas: The interview China tried to hide | Wuhan Coronavirus | Dr. Ai Fen

Why should we take China's propaganda push seriously? because the Communist Party does.

In 2018, China spent more than six billion dollars to create a global media platform to spread its message. Propaganda is an important tool to keep control in&nbsp;China.

We have all heard how Beijing keeps tight control over the media at home. Now, it is expanding its propaganda machinery across the world.

For the Communist Party, the medium doesn't matter as long as&nbsp;its propaganda reaches far and wide.

The latest tool of delivery is a mobile app called "study the powerful country". This is a tool to teach the Xi Jinping thoughts, the policy and ideals of the Chinese president, that are now enshrined in China's constitution.

Beijing has effective tools to control the narrative at home.&nbsp;It now wants the same power beyond its borders.

China is now aggressively pushing its message on global social media websites.

An investigation by ProPublica has exposed Beijing's propaganda machinery. Since 2019, this website has tracked more than 10 thousand suspected fake Twitter accounts.

ProPublica says these accounts were involved in a coordinated influence campaign.

On first impressions, these accounts look like any average social media.

The fake profiles include a professor from North Carolina,&nbsp;a web designer in the United Kingdom and&nbsp;a&nbsp;business analyst from Australia.

ProPublica found that all of them shared pro-China posts, repeatedly on their accounts. They are all cogs in China's propaganda machine.&nbsp;

However, the campaign to win influence is not just online.

China is trying to win over foreign journalists too.

Reportedly, since 2016, the Chinese government has paid several foreign journalists including from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan to participate in a 10-month long program.&nbsp;

Reportedly, the journalists stayed in plush residences in Beijing during their training. They were given free tours to different Chinese provinces.

Even free language classes at the end of the program.

China is not only trying to win more positive coverage, but it is also shutting down criticism as well.

Recently, Beijing expelled journalists from the new york times, the wall street journal and the Washington Post.

Publications that have put out critical reports against the Communist party and now, China is using its propaganda machinery to counter the criticism over the coronavirus outbreak.

It is an attempt to turn the tide of negative press in its favour. 
&nbsp;

Why should we take China's propaganda push seriously? because the Communist Party does. In 2018, China spent more than six billion dollars to create a global media platform to spread its message.

Why should we take China's propaganda push seriously? because the Communist Party does. In 2018, China spent more than six billion dollars to create a global media platform to spread its message. Propaganda is an important tool to keep control in China. We have all heard how Beijing keeps tight control over the media at home. Now, it is expanding its propaganda machinery across the world. For the Communist Party, the medium doesn't matter as long as its propaganda reaches far and wide. The latest tool of delivery is a mobile app called "study the powerful country". This is a tool to teach the Xi Jinping thoughts, the policy and ideals of the Chinese president, that are now enshrined in China's constitution. Beijing has effective tools to control the narrative at home. It now wants the same power beyond its borders. China is now aggressively pushing its message on global social media websites. An investigation by ProPublica has exposed Beijing's propaganda machinery. Since 2019, this website has tracked more than 10 thousand suspected fake Twitter accounts. ProPublica says these accounts were involved in a coordinated influence campaign. On first impressions, these accounts look like any average social media. The fake profiles include a professor from North Carolina, a web designer in the United Kingdom and a business analyst from Australia. ProPublica found that all of them shared pro-China posts, repeatedly on their accounts. They are all cogs in China's propaganda machine. However, the campaign to win influence is not just online. China is trying to win over foreign journalists too. Reportedly, since 2016, the Chinese government has paid several foreign journalists including from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan to participate in a 10-month long program. Reportedly, the journalists stayed in plush residences in Beijing during their training. They were given free tours to different Chinese provinces. Even free language classes at the end of the program. China is not only trying to win more positive coverage, but it is also shutting down criticism as well. Recently, Beijing expelled journalists from the new york times, the wall street journal and the Washington Post. Publications that have put out critical reports against the Communist party and now, China is using its propaganda machinery to counter the criticism over the coronavirus outbreak. It is an attempt to turn the tide of negative press in its favour.

How Chinese propaganda factory has global franchises

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sets-up-hong-kong-crisis-centre-in-mainland-open-to-replacing-chief-liaison-264564">Wang Zhimin</a>, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment.

Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">Hong Kong</a> are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hsbc-suspended-overnight-services-at-19-atm-clusters-in-hong-kong-after-branches-vandalised-271907">Beijing</a> was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city.

The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-celebrate-new-year-with-a-fresh-wave-of-protests-271280">Communist Party of China</a>.

Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment. Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China: Luo Huining replaces Wang Zhimin as Hong Kong's top envoy

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-police-arrest-15-in-fresh-shopping-mall-protests-270781">Hong Kong</a>'s financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

The crowd, a mix of young and elderly people, wore black and turquoise surgical masks to hide their identities as they listened to organisers speaking on a makeshift stage.

"There may be fewer people. We all know that no matter how many people come out or how many times, the government ignores you," said a 30-year-old woman in black clothing surnamed Wong, who works in the legal sector.

"Hong Kongers will never stop. We see unfairness, injustice. It contradicts our fundamental beliefs," she said.

Also Watch: Hong Kong-&nbsp;Several months of continuous unrest, protest against Chinese traders

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Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-target-malls-during-christmas-in-hong-kong-270245">six months of protests</a>, triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party.

The demonstrations have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement and have again became more confrontational over recent days with police clashing with protesters at several shopping malls and busy tourist areas.

On Saturday, riot police arrested about a dozen protesters and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China.

More protests are planned in the next few days, including a countdown to New Year's Day and a march on Jan. 1 that could attract a big crowd.

Protesters are angry about what they see as increased meddling by Beijing in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.&nbsp;

China denies interfering, saying it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign forces for fomenting unrest.&nbsp;

A 20-year old university student who gave his name as Malcolm said it was becoming harder to remain optimistic about the prospect of change.

"More realistic people know there's no way for us to win but now is not the time for us to be pessimistic," he said, adding that he would continue to push for full democracy for Hong Kong.

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in Hong Kong's financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas.

More than 1,000 people rallied in the rain in a park in Hong Kong's financial district on Sunday, chanting slogans for democracy as they huddled under a sea of umbrellas. The crowd, a mix of young and elderly people, wore black and turquoise surgical masks to hide their identities as they listened to organisers speaking on a makeshift stage. "There may be fewer people. We all know that no matter how many people come out or how many times, the government ignores you," said a 30-year-old woman in black clothing surnamed Wong, who works in the legal sector. "Hong Kongers will never stop. We see unfairness, injustice. It contradicts our fundamental beliefs," she said. Also Watch: Hong Kong- Several months of continuous unrest, protest against Chinese traders × Hong Kong has been convulsed by more than six months of protests, triggered by a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party. The demonstrations have since evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement and have again became more confrontational over recent days with police clashing with protesters at several shopping malls and busy tourist areas. On Saturday, riot police arrested about a dozen protesters and used pepper spray to break up a gathering aimed at disrupting retail business near the border with mainland China. More protests are planned in the next few days, including a countdown to New Year's Day and a march on Jan. 1 that could attract a big crowd. Protesters are angry about what they see as increased meddling by Beijing in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. China denies interfering, saying it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time, and blames foreign forces for fomenting unrest. A 20-year old university student who gave his name as Malcolm said it was becoming harder to remain optimistic about the prospect of change. "More realistic people know there's no way for us to win but now is not the time for us to be pessimistic," he said, adding that he would continue to push for full democracy for Hong Kong.

More than 1,000 gather for rain-soaked Hong Kong rally

The sixth prototype of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-jinping-turns-to-financial-experts-to-tame-economic-risks-270512">China</a>'s home-built C919 narrowbody passenger plane completed its first test flight on Friday, marking a milestone in the programme's testing schedule as China races to compete with Airbus SE and Boeing Co.

The sixth prototype is the last test plane its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (COMAC), has planned for the programme and was scheduled to fly before the year-end. Currently, there are five test planes that are conducting test flights elsewhere in the country.

The maiden flight on Friday from Shanghai lasted two hours and five minutes, COMAC said in a press release, adding that the jet will be conducting more test flights with a focus on cabin, lighting and external noises.

COMAC has already started production of aircraft parts which will be used for the first batch of aircraft deliveries, it said.

The state manufacturer is aiming to obtain Chinese certification for the C919 in 2021, but the date was subject to regulatory approval and the aircraft's safety remains a top priority, according to COMAC officials.

He Dongfeng, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-can-censor-ozil-but-cannot-hide-human-rights-violations-against-uighurs-pompeo-268791">Communist Party</a> boss of COMAC, wrote in a state-owned newspaper in December that aircraft safety is key to the survival of COMAC.

Designed to compete directly with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/50-airbus-aircraft-ordered-to-replace-the-existing-fleet-of-aging-boeing-united-airlines-266089">Airbus 320</a> and the Boeing 737 families in the market for jets with around 150 seats, the C919 is the speartip of China's efforts to break a powerful decades-old Western duopoly.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/new-boeing-boss-david-calhoun-is-a-tough-minded-veteran-of-crisis-269920">Boeing 737 MAX</a> remains globally grounded following two fatal crashes that killed a total of 346 people.

The sixth prototype of China's home-built C919 narrowbody passenger plane completed its first test flight on Friday, marking a milestone in the programme's testing schedule as China races to compete with Airbus SE and Boeing Co.

The sixth prototype of China's home-built C919 narrowbody passenger plane completed its first test flight on Friday, marking a milestone in the programme's testing schedule as China races to compete with Airbus SE and Boeing Co. The sixth prototype is the last test plane its manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (COMAC), has planned for the programme and was scheduled to fly before the year-end. Currently, there are five test planes that are conducting test flights elsewhere in the country. The maiden flight on Friday from Shanghai lasted two hours and five minutes, COMAC said in a press release, adding that the jet will be conducting more test flights with a focus on cabin, lighting and external noises. COMAC has already started production of aircraft parts which will be used for the first batch of aircraft deliveries, it said. The state manufacturer is aiming to obtain Chinese certification for the C919 in 2021, but the date was subject to regulatory approval and the aircraft's safety remains a top priority, according to COMAC officials. He Dongfeng, the Communist Party boss of COMAC, wrote in a state-owned newspaper in December that aircraft safety is key to the survival of COMAC. Designed to compete directly with the Airbus 320 and the Boeing 737 families in the market for jets with around 150 seats, the C919 is the speartip of China's efforts to break a powerful decades-old Western duopoly. The Boeing 737 MAX remains globally grounded following two fatal crashes that killed a total of 346 people.

Sixth prototype of China's C919 jet completes first test flight

Secondary-school students and retirees joined forces to protest in Hong Kong on Saturday, the first of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-arrests-belizean-taiwanese-citizens-over-alleged-meddling-in-hong-kong-affairs-265421">several weekend rallies planned across the city</a>, as pro-democracy activists vowed to battle what they say are police brutality and unlawful arrests.

A top Hong Kong official said the government was looking into setting up an independent committee to review the handling of the crisis, which has seen increasingly violent demonstrations since starting more than five months ago.

Hong Kong has seen relative calm since local elections last week delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates. Still, activists appear keen to maintain the momentum of their movement.

"I came out for the peaceful protest in June when there was more than one million people, but the government did not listen to our demands," said a 71-year-old woman in Hong Kong's Central district, who only gave her name as Ponn.

She brought her own plastic stool to join a cross-generational protest of a few hundred people at the city's Chater Garden. Elderly Hong Kongers, some with visors and canes, stood not far from young, black-clad protesters. All listened to pro-democracy speakers in a gathering marked by a festive mood.

"I have seen so much police brutality and unlawful arrests. This is not the Hong Kong I know. I came today because I want the government to know that we are not happy with what they have done to our generation," said Ponn, who attended with her daughter and son-in-law.

Foreign arrests

Demonstrators are angered by what they see as Chinese interference in freedoms promised when Britain returned Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997.

But China denies interfering, and says it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time. It has blamed foreign forces for fomenting unrest.

On Saturday, citing authorities, the Communist party newspaper of the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said police had arrested a Belizean citizen for allegedly colluding with people in the United States to meddle in Hong Kong affairs.

Separately, the newspaper said a Taiwanese man, Lee Meng-Chu, was arrested by police in nearby Shenzhen on Oct. 31, for allegedly stealing state secrets for foreign forces after he made a trip to Hong Kong in August to support "anti-China" activities.

In Hong Kong, the city government is looking into setting up an independent committee to review the handling of the crisis, Matthew Cheung, Chief Secretary for Administration, told reporters when asked about an independent review committee.

"We are looking for relevant candidates and we have already started preparatory work, so we hope we will make some progress in the short term," Cheung said.

Cheung's comment came in response to a question that did not specify police or government handling, but one of the protesters' demands is for an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality. Some critics on social media have said that such a committee would fall short of the independent investigation they have been demanding.

In an opinion piece in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper on Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, also called for an investigation into allegations of excessive police force.

"I appeal the government to take important confidence-building measures, including a proper independent and impartial judge-led investigation into reports of excessive use of force by the police," Bachelet wrote.

'Glory to Hong Kong'

In Saturday's first rally, at one point the crowd in the park rose to sing "Glory to Hong Kong", which has become the unofficial anthem of protests. Many of them put their hands in the air with five fingers outstretched, a symbol of the pro-democracy movement.

"My mum asked me to come and protect her. So I came with my husband. It has been quiet after the district elections and that is unexpected," senior citizen protester Ponn's 26-year-old daughter told Reuters.

"We should not stop there, I came today because we have to keep fighting."

Some of the young protesters waved American flags, a sign of appreciation after U.S. President Donald Trump this week signed into law bills that back the protesters and threaten China with possible sanctions on human rights.

A 70-year-old retiree in a blue aviator sunglasses and a grey tracksuit, who gave his name as Ko, said seniors could offer guidance to the younger protesters.

"Starting from day one I have been involved in this movement and there is no reason to stop now," said Ko.

"Today is a cross-age group meeting and there are a lot of middle school students ... We are here to give them advice and moral support. I think they need it."

Secondary-school students and retirees joined forces to protest in Hong Kong on Saturday, the first of several weekend rallies planned across the city, as pro-democracy activists vowed to battle what they say are police brutality and unlawful arrests.

Secondary-school students and retirees joined forces to protest in Hong Kong on Saturday, the first of several weekend rallies planned across the city, as pro-democracy activists vowed to battle what they say are police brutality and unlawful arrests. A top Hong Kong official said the government was looking into setting up an independent committee to review the handling of the crisis, which has seen increasingly violent demonstrations since starting more than five months ago. Hong Kong has seen relative calm since local elections last week delivered an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates. Still, activists appear keen to maintain the momentum of their movement. "I came out for the peaceful protest in June when there was more than one million people, but the government did not listen to our demands," said a 71-year-old woman in Hong Kong's Central district, who only gave her name as Ponn. She brought her own plastic stool to join a cross-generational protest of a few hundred people at the city's Chater Garden. Elderly Hong Kongers, some with visors and canes, stood not far from young, black-clad protesters. All listened to pro-democracy speakers in a gathering marked by a festive mood. "I have seen so much police brutality and unlawful arrests. This is not the Hong Kong I know. I came today because I want the government to know that we are not happy with what they have done to our generation," said Ponn, who attended with her daughter and son-in-law. Foreign arrests Demonstrators are angered by what they see as Chinese interference in freedoms promised when Britain returned Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997. But China denies interfering, and says it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula put in place at that time. It has blamed foreign forces for fomenting unrest. On Saturday, citing authorities, the Communist party newspaper of the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou said police had arrested a Belizean citizen for allegedly colluding with people in the United States to meddle in Hong Kong affairs. Separately, the newspaper said a Taiwanese man, Lee Meng-Chu, was arrested by police in nearby Shenzhen on Oct. 31, for allegedly stealing state secrets for foreign forces after he made a trip to Hong Kong in August to support "anti-China" activities. In Hong Kong, the city government is looking into setting up an independent committee to review the handling of the crisis, Matthew Cheung, Chief Secretary for Administration, told reporters when asked about an independent review committee. "We are looking for relevant candidates and we have already started preparatory work, so we hope we will make some progress in the short term," Cheung said. Cheung's comment came in response to a question that did not specify police or government handling, but one of the protesters' demands is for an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality. Some critics on social media have said that such a committee would fall short of the independent investigation they have been demanding. In an opinion piece in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper on Saturday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, also called for an investigation into allegations of excessive police force. "I appeal the government to take important confidence-building measures, including a proper independent and impartial judge-led investigation into reports of excessive use of force by the police," Bachelet wrote. 'Glory to Hong Kong' In Saturday's first rally, at one point the crowd in the park rose to sing "Glory to Hong Kong", which has become the unofficial anthem of protests. Many of them put their hands in the air with five fingers outstretched, a symbol of the pro-democracy movement. "My mum asked me to come and protect her. So I came with my husband. It has been quiet after the district elections and that is unexpected," senior citizen protester Ponn's 26-year-old daughter told Reuters. "We should not stop there, I came today because we have to keep fighting." Some of the young protesters waved American flags, a sign of appreciation after U.S. President Donald Trump this week signed into law bills that back the protesters and threaten China with possible sanctions on human rights. A 70-year-old retiree in a blue aviator sunglasses and a grey tracksuit, who gave his name as Ko, said seniors could offer guidance to the younger protesters. "Starting from day one I have been involved in this movement and there is no reason to stop now," said Ko. "Today is a cross-age group meeting and there are a lot of middle school students ... We are here to give them advice and moral support. I think they need it."

Hong Kong seniors take to streets to back students as activists decry police

Hong Kong's acting leader said on Tuesday he deeply regretted the involvement of civil servants in protests that have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into crisis as activists planned masked "Guy Fawkes" demonstrations across the territory.

Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung's comments came after commentary by the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily said Hong Kong civil servants who supported the anti-government demonstrations would "perish with the rioters".

The demonstrations began over a since-scrapped extradition bill and escalated in mid-June against perceived Chinese meddling in the former British colony which was guaranteed its colonial freedoms when it returned to China in 1997. China denies the charge.

Protesters have kept up their calls for universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, among other demands.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mass-protests-protect-hong-kongs-legal-autonomy-from-china-for-now-228567">protests</a>, which pose the gravest challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012, have received broad support, including from some civil servants, teachers and financial sector workers.

"In the past few months, a very small portion of the civil servants have broken the law, participating in illegal protests. We deeply regret that" Cheung said.

"... Their first job is to serve society, serve the community. And to support government policies, that is the responsibility of the civil servants."

In August, thousands of civil servants defied a government warning to remain politically neutral and joined a rally, while the territory's chief executive Carrie Lam said in September she regretted the arrest of some civil servants during protests.

After gatecrashing fancy-dress Halloween festivities on October&nbsp;31, protesters have circulated plans on social media to mark Guy Fawkes Day on Tuesday by wearing the white, smiling Guy Fawkes masks made popular by anti-establishment hackers, the film "V for Vendetta" and protesters globally.

Gunpowder&nbsp;Plot

Guy Fawkes Day, also called Bonfire Night, is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires every November&nbsp;5 in Britain, when effigies of "guys" are burnt, marking the night in 1605 when Fawkes was arrested for a "gunpowder plot" to blow up parliament.

Lam banned face masks last month, invoking colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years, but protesters have largely ignored the ruling.

The number of people who take part in the mostly weekend rallies has dwindled from the millions who participated in June, but the violence and vandalism have escalated. Authorities have refused permits for many recent protests, making them illegal from the outset and activists liable to be arrested.

There have been many injuries in the protests, but no deaths. A 22-year-old student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests at the weekend was in critical condition on Tuesday, hospital authorities said.

A man knifed several people on Sunday and bit off a part of a politician's ear before being beaten by protesters. A 48-year-old suspect is in custody.

Cheung said his administration would safeguard freedom of the press amid criticism of what many see as the excessive police force, including against the media.

Cheung is standing in for Lam, who is visiting mainland China, where Xi said on Monday the central government had a high degree of confidence in her.

The demonstrations have battered the retail and tourism sectors, with preliminary government data showing the economy slid into recession for the first time in a decade in the third quarter.

An IHS Markit survey published on Tuesday showed business activity in Hong Kong's private sector fell to its weakest in 21 years in October, weighed down by anti-government protests and softening global demand.

Hong Kong returned to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-china-benefits-from-the-hong-kong-protests-246211">China</a> under a "one country, two systems" formula that is meant to protect its freedoms for 50 years.

Hong Kong's acting leader said on Tuesday he deeply regretted the involvement of civil servants in protests that have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into crisis as activists planned masked "Guy Fawkes" demonstrations across the territory.

Hong Kong's acting leader said on Tuesday he deeply regretted the involvement of civil servants in protests that have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into crisis as activists planned masked "Guy Fawkes" demonstrations across the territory. Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung's comments came after commentary by the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily said Hong Kong civil servants who supported the anti-government demonstrations would "perish with the rioters". The demonstrations began over a since-scrapped extradition bill and escalated in mid-June against perceived Chinese meddling in the former British colony which was guaranteed its colonial freedoms when it returned to China in 1997. China denies the charge. Protesters have kept up their calls for universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, among other demands. The protests, which pose the gravest challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012, have received broad support, including from some civil servants, teachers and financial sector workers. "In the past few months, a very small portion of the civil servants have broken the law, participating in illegal protests. We deeply regret that" Cheung said. "... Their first job is to serve society, serve the community. And to support government policies, that is the responsibility of the civil servants." In August, thousands of civil servants defied a government warning to remain politically neutral and joined a rally, while the territory's chief executive Carrie Lam said in September she regretted the arrest of some civil servants during protests. After gatecrashing fancy-dress Halloween festivities on October 31, protesters have circulated plans on social media to mark Guy Fawkes Day on Tuesday by wearing the white, smiling Guy Fawkes masks made popular by anti-establishment hackers, the film "V for Vendetta" and protesters globally. Gunpowder Plot Guy Fawkes Day, also called Bonfire Night, is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires every November 5 in Britain, when effigies of "guys" are burnt, marking the night in 1605 when Fawkes was arrested for a "gunpowder plot" to blow up parliament. Lam banned face masks last month, invoking colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years, but protesters have largely ignored the ruling. The number of people who take part in the mostly weekend rallies has dwindled from the millions who participated in June, but the violence and vandalism have escalated. Authorities have refused permits for many recent protests, making them illegal from the outset and activists liable to be arrested. There have been many injuries in the protests, but no deaths. A 22-year-old student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests at the weekend was in critical condition on Tuesday, hospital authorities said. A man knifed several people on Sunday and bit off a part of a politician's ear before being beaten by protesters. A 48-year-old suspect is in custody. Cheung said his administration would safeguard freedom of the press amid criticism of what many see as the excessive police force, including against the media. Cheung is standing in for Lam, who is visiting mainland China, where Xi said on Monday the central government had a high degree of confidence in her. The demonstrations have battered the retail and tourism sectors, with preliminary government data showing the economy slid into recession for the first time in a decade in the third quarter. An IHS Markit survey published on Tuesday showed business activity in Hong Kong's private sector fell to its weakest in 21 years in October, weighed down by anti-government protests and softening global demand. Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" formula that is meant to protect its freedoms for 50 years.

After gatecrashing Halloween, Hong Kong protesters plot Guy Fawkes protests

Hong Kong police fired volley after volley of tear gas to break up a demonstration by thousands of anti-government protesters, many in black and wearing masks, in Victoria Park, a traditional venue for demonstrations and vigils, and surrounding streets.

It was an early, fast response to a rally billed as an "emergency call" for autonomy for the former British colony that was promised its freedoms when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

The fast-moving crowds headed to the park through the Causeway Bay shopping district, some pulling up metal fencing to build street barricades, their actions masked by others holding umbrellas. Activists threw at least one petrol bomb.

Many sang the British and US national anthems, waving multi-national flags and a few calling for independence, a red line for Communist Party leaders in Beijing who have vowed to crush any such move.

Police using loud-hailers warned them to disperse, saying they would be prosecuted for holding an illegal assembly on the 22nd straight weekend of protest.

Police raised the black flag, warning of tear gas, with activists running in all directions around the park.

Anti-riot Police Tactical Unit vans were already in waiting on the narrow side-streets around the Central business district to the west, the marchers' destination later in the afternoon.

Protesters have taken to the streets for five months of sometimes violent unrest, angry at perceived Chinese meddling with Hong Kong's freedoms, including its legal system. China denies the charge.

Activists have attacked police with petrol bombs, set street fires and trashed government buildings and businesses seen as pro-Beijing.

One policeman was slashed in the neck with a knife last month.

Police have responded with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannon, rubber bullets and occasional live rounds. Several people have been wounded.

Saturday's rally was not given official police permission, as is required, but that has not stopped people gathering in the past. Face masks were banned under a resuscitated colonial-era emergency law.

“It does not make sense (for this assembly to be unauthorised)," said one protester, 55, who only gave her name as Lulu. "This is our human right... The global support is very important. We are not only in Hong Kong. The whole world supports Hong Kong.”

Simon Tse, 84, came with his two daughters.

"I haven’t joined a protest on the street since the October 1 march which became quite violent," he told Reuters. "But today I am joining because we are calling for international support, urging help from 15 countries. This is the last chance for Hong Kong people.”

Government data on Thursday confirmed that Hong Kong slid into recession in the third quarter for the first time since the global financial crisis of 2008. Retail sales fell 18.3% in value in September from a year earlier, an eighth consecutive month of decline.

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous "special administrative region" of China according to the "one country, two systems" formula under which it returned to Chinese rule.

Hong Kong police fired volley after volley of tear gas to break up a demonstration by thousands of anti-government protesters, many in black and wearing masks, in Victoria Park, a traditional venue for demonstrations and vigils, and surrounding streets.

Hong Kong police fired volley after volley of tear gas to break up a demonstration by thousands of anti-government protesters, many in black and wearing masks, in Victoria Park, a traditional venue for demonstrations and vigils, and surrounding streets. It was an early, fast response to a rally billed as an "emergency call" for autonomy for the former British colony that was promised its freedoms when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The fast-moving crowds headed to the park through the Causeway Bay shopping district, some pulling up metal fencing to build street barricades, their actions masked by others holding umbrellas. Activists threw at least one petrol bomb. Many sang the British and US national anthems, waving multi-national flags and a few calling for independence, a red line for Communist Party leaders in Beijing who have vowed to crush any such move. Police using loud-hailers warned them to disperse, saying they would be prosecuted for holding an illegal assembly on the 22nd straight weekend of protest. Police raised the black flag, warning of tear gas, with activists running in all directions around the park. Anti-riot Police Tactical Unit vans were already in waiting on the narrow side-streets around the Central business district to the west, the marchers' destination later in the afternoon. Protesters have taken to the streets for five months of sometimes violent unrest, angry at perceived Chinese meddling with Hong Kong's freedoms, including its legal system. China denies the charge. Activists have attacked police with petrol bombs, set street fires and trashed government buildings and businesses seen as pro-Beijing. One policeman was slashed in the neck with a knife last month. Police have responded with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannon, rubber bullets and occasional live rounds. Several people have been wounded. Saturday's rally was not given official police permission, as is required, but that has not stopped people gathering in the past. Face masks were banned under a resuscitated colonial-era emergency law. “It does not make sense (for this assembly to be unauthorised)," said one protester, 55, who only gave her name as Lulu. "This is our human right... The global support is very important. We are not only in Hong Kong. The whole world supports Hong Kong.” Simon Tse, 84, came with his two daughters. "I haven’t joined a protest on the street since the October 1 march which became quite violent," he told Reuters. "But today I am joining because we are calling for international support, urging help from 15 countries. This is the last chance for Hong Kong people.” Government data on Thursday confirmed that Hong Kong slid into recession in the third quarter for the first time since the global financial crisis of 2008. Retail sales fell 18.3% in value in September from a year earlier, an eighth consecutive month of decline. Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous "special administrative region" of China according to the "one country, two systems" formula under which it returned to Chinese rule.

Defying China warning, Hong Kong protesters gather for anti-government demonstration

A widely downloaded Chinese propaganda app that quizzes users on Communist Party heroes and military achievements may be "studying them right back" through data collection and potential security breaches, an internet freedom campaign group says.

The app - called "Xuexi Qiangguo" or "Study to make China strong" - has accumulated 130 million users since its launch by the Communist Party's propaganda arm in January, according to state media in August.

Marketed as an education tool, it awards points for sharing articles and watching videos such as speeches by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

But the Open Technology Fund (OTF) - a US government-funded group that campaigns for internet freedom, says users also provide a plethora of data to the app, including location and emails.

OTF contracted the independent German tech firm Cure53 to study the app.

While the Communist Party advertises it as "a way for citizens to prove their loyalty and study their country, the app's maintainers are studying them right back", OTF wrote on its website.

The app's terms and conditions also say users may have to hand over more personal information, such as fingerprints and ID numbers, depending on the features or third-party tools they want to access.

The Chinese government has come under increasing scrutiny for high-tech surveillance, from facial recognition-enabled security cameras to apps used by police to extract personal information from smartphones at checkpoints.

And though "Study to make China strong" is an education app, Cure53 said it contains code that could run "arbitrary commands", reminiscent of a backdoor, on certain phones.

The app "maintains a level of access that no app would normally have over a user's device", said OTF.

The investigation, which was conducted in August, only looked at the Android version of the app, partly because of its market dominance, said Sarah Aoun, the group's director of technology.

OTF is considering tackling the iOS version next, Aoun told AFP.

"This is just another way of expanding that digital control through a very intrusive app that is being pushed onto its citizens," said Aoun.

The Communist Party's propaganda arm, which is responsible for the app, did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

Dozens of provincial and county governments across the country reportedly held workshops to promote the app earlier this year.

Chinese journalists will also have to use the app for online press accreditation exams later this month and November, said a notice last week from the State Council, China's cabinet.

"It is unusual to see so much data gathered for an education app," said Jane Manchun Wong, who reverse-engineers apps for security vulnerabilities and unreleased features.

"It's like reading a book about the great nation but the book somehow searches your home," she told AFP.

The app also scans for 960 applications, including gaming, travel and chat apps, appearing as if "attempting to find which popular apps are installed on the phone", said Cure53's report.

A spokesperson at DingTalk, an enterprise chat platform that was used to build the app, told AFP that it had "no 'backdoor code' or scanning issues".

But OTF said users' data and their phones could be further jeopardised if the code that "amounts to a backdoor" runs successfully.

Currently, this code only affects phones where users have installed software that gives them "superuser" privileges, such as the ability to modify the device's code.

But apps can also abuse this level of privilege to take over a user's device.

"The code they found is creepy", Baptiste Robert, a French security researcher, told AFP -- but cautioned against the use of the word backdoor.

The investigation also found "no evidence" that the code was used during testing, with Cure53 concluding that "further investigation" was needed to determine how it was used.

The code "can raise suspicion," Robert said, but to conclude that there is "vast espionage from China is complicated".

A widely downloaded Chinese propaganda app that quizzes users on Communist Party heroes and military achievements may be "studying them right back" through data collection and potential security breaches, an internet freedom campaign group says.

A widely downloaded Chinese propaganda app that quizzes users on Communist Party heroes and military achievements may be "studying them right back" through data collection and potential security breaches, an internet freedom campaign group says. The app - called "Xuexi Qiangguo" or "Study to make China strong" - has accumulated 130 million users since its launch by the Communist Party's propaganda arm in January, according to state media in August. Marketed as an education tool, it awards points for sharing articles and watching videos such as speeches by Chinese President Xi Jinping. But the Open Technology Fund (OTF) - a US government-funded group that campaigns for internet freedom, says users also provide a plethora of data to the app, including location and emails. OTF contracted the independent German tech firm Cure53 to study the app. While the Communist Party advertises it as "a way for citizens to prove their loyalty and study their country, the app's maintainers are studying them right back", OTF wrote on its website. The app's terms and conditions also say users may have to hand over more personal information, such as fingerprints and ID numbers, depending on the features or third-party tools they want to access. The Chinese government has come under increasing scrutiny for high-tech surveillance, from facial recognition-enabled security cameras to apps used by police to extract personal information from smartphones at checkpoints. And though "Study to make China strong" is an education app, Cure53 said it contains code that could run "arbitrary commands", reminiscent of a backdoor, on certain phones. The app "maintains a level of access that no app would normally have over a user's device", said OTF. The investigation, which was conducted in August, only looked at the Android version of the app, partly because of its market dominance, said Sarah Aoun, the group's director of technology. OTF is considering tackling the iOS version next, Aoun told AFP. "This is just another way of expanding that digital control through a very intrusive app that is being pushed onto its citizens," said Aoun. The Communist Party's propaganda arm, which is responsible for the app, did not respond to AFP's request for comment. Dozens of provincial and county governments across the country reportedly held workshops to promote the app earlier this year. Chinese journalists will also have to use the app for online press accreditation exams later this month and November, said a notice last week from the State Council, China's cabinet. "It is unusual to see so much data gathered for an education app," said Jane Manchun Wong, who reverse-engineers apps for security vulnerabilities and unreleased features. "It's like reading a book about the great nation but the book somehow searches your home," she told AFP. The app also scans for 960 applications, including gaming, travel and chat apps, appearing as if "attempting to find which popular apps are installed on the phone", said Cure53's report. A spokesperson at DingTalk, an enterprise chat platform that was used to build the app, told AFP that it had "no 'backdoor code' or scanning issues". But OTF said users' data and their phones could be further jeopardised if the code that "amounts to a backdoor" runs successfully. Currently, this code only affects phones where users have installed software that gives them "superuser" privileges, such as the ability to modify the device's code. But apps can also abuse this level of privilege to take over a user's device. "The code they found is creepy", Baptiste Robert, a French security researcher, told AFP -- but cautioned against the use of the word backdoor. The investigation also found "no evidence" that the code was used during testing, with Cure53 concluding that "further investigation" was needed to determine how it was used. The code "can raise suspicion," Robert said, but to conclude that there is "vast espionage from China is complicated".

China propaganda app fraught with security concerns: Report

When Beijing said this week that it saw the "first signs of terrorism" among Hong Kong's young pro-democracy protesters, it marked an ominous step in a progression of escalating rhetoric.

When Beijing said this week that it saw the "first signs of terrorism" among Hong Kong's young pro-democracy protesters, it marked an ominous step in a progression of escalating rhetoric. Weeks of rallies, demonstrations, and occupations have seen millions of people take to Hong Kong's streets in the biggest challenge to China's rule of the semi-autonomous city since its 1997 handover from Britain. And as tensions between demonstrators and Hong Kong authorities intensify so has the messaging from the central Chinese government, as it seeks to shape how the protests are perceived both overseas and on the mainland, where social media and news outlets are tightly controlled. Here's how Beijing's framing of the protests has evolved: Pro-extradition crowds On June 9, crowds bring central Hong Kong to a standstill to protest a controversial extradition law that critics say would erode freedoms in the city. Organisers say more than a million people marched through the streets in opposition to the bill. State-run news agency Xinhua downplays it as a "public procession." That evening's main news broadcast by state-run CCTV does not mention the protests and censored searches for the demonstration on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform yield no results. But in the following days, state media changes tactics: they de-emphasise the opposition marches and focus on support for the bill instead. "800,000 say 'yes' to rendition bill," reads one-China Daily piece, which describes the opposition rally as a much smaller counter-protest of "about 240,000" people. A Chinese-language People's Daily article echoes the same line, claiming "all walks of life have expressed their support for the amendment." External forces Soon after that rally, China begins blaming the protests on what it says is a small group of organisers colluding with Western governments. In mid-June, the People's Daily accuses "external forces" of interfering in China's internal affairs, a common refrain from China's foreign ministry whenever the country faces international criticism. This rhetoric amplifies as Western politicians throw their support behind Hong Kong protesters, whose demands to shelve the extradition bill had evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms. When Britain's foreign minister calls Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam to voice concern about the protests, China says Britain is "stirring up trouble" in the semi-autonomous city. At a press briefing in Beijing, Yang Guang, spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, links foreign interference with separatism. One of their goals is to "turn Hong Kong into a base for opposing the central government and a pawn to pin down China," he tells reporters. Violent radicals Violence in Hong Kong escalates throughout the summer and police use tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons to disperse projectile-throwing crowds. At the end of July, anger boils over after masked men, suspected of being triad gangsters attack protesters inside a train station. Demonstrators, frustrated by the government's intransigence, overrun the city's legislature and vandalise the walls of Beijing's office in Hong Kong. Chinese authorities blame a "few radicals" among protesters, while coverage of alleged police brutality is censored on the mainland. Official state news agency Xinhua warns "violent radicals" are pushing Hong Kong into an "abyss" and says there should be no compromise to their demands. Terrorism August sees a sharp increase in rhetoric and propaganda. On August 1, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong releases a slick video showing armed troops practising to quell a protest. "The primary goal would be to intimidate Hong Kong protesters by suggesting they might move in and restore 'stability' by force," said Andrew Chubb, a Chinese politics and foreign policy researcher at Lancaster University. State-run outlets like the Global Times and People's Daily circulate footage of police drills and military vehicles near the Shenzhen border in southern China. On Monday, the day protesters cripple Hong Kong's busy airport, Beijing's language stiffens and it says the demonstrations show "the first signs of terrorism emerging". It repeats the charge on Wednesday, saying airport protesters are guilty of "terrorist-like actions". "The Communist Party uses its words very carefully," said Ben Bland, a research fellow at Lowy Institute. "The choice of words, in this case, is designed to signal to the Hong Kong authorities that they can use a higher degree of violence and repression," he told AFP. "It’s designed to scare off the protesters by saying, 'We view this very seriously.'"

From silence to 'terrorism': Beijing's evolving rhetoric on Hong Kong

'Homeland Dream': How Chinese gaming giants unveil titles to play up patriotic value

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-vice-president-to-arrive-in-pakistan-on-sunday-221776">Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan</a> visited Lahore as part of his trip to promote economic cooperation with the Punjab province, the largest and most developed region of Pakistan.

He reached the provincial metropolis on Monday on a two-day trip to meet officials and visit Chinese investment centres in the province.

Wang visited the Haier-Ruba Economic Zone in Lahore along with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and Consul General Long Dingbin on Monday.

The Haier-Ruba zone, a major player in the domestic market, sells various consumer products.

Wang also met Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and discussed how to increase cooperation with Punjab.

The senior Chinese leader said that his government would welcome economic cooperation between the Punjab government and the big provinces of China.

Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, who hosted dinner in the honour of Wang, said a new era of cooperation has started between Pakistan and China with his visit.

Wang, a member of the politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), also visited Taxila archaeological museum where Buddhist artefacts from Gandhara civilisation are preserved.

The senior Chinese leader, who arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for a three-day visit, met President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Various agreements have been signed in Islamabad after delegation-level talks between the two sides.

The Pakistani officials said that the visit would expedite the $60 billion<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-will-always-stand-by-pakistans-core-interests-chinese-vice-president-221991"> China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</a> (CPEC).

The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan visited Lahore as part of his trip to promote economic cooperation with the Punjab province, the largest and most developed region of Pakistan.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan visited Lahore as part of his trip to promote economic cooperation with the Punjab province, the largest and most developed region of Pakistan. He reached the provincial metropolis on Monday on a two-day trip to meet officials and visit Chinese investment centres in the province. Wang visited the Haier-Ruba Economic Zone in Lahore along with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and Consul General Long Dingbin on Monday. The Haier-Ruba zone, a major player in the domestic market, sells various consumer products. Wang also met Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and discussed how to increase cooperation with Punjab. The senior Chinese leader said that his government would welcome economic cooperation between the Punjab government and the big provinces of China. Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, who hosted dinner in the honour of Wang, said a new era of cooperation has started between Pakistan and China with his visit. Wang, a member of the politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), also visited Taxila archaeological museum where Buddhist artefacts from Gandhara civilisation are preserved. The senior Chinese leader, who arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for a three-day visit, met President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Various agreements have been signed in Islamabad after delegation-level talks between the two sides. The Pakistani officials said that the visit would expedite the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

Chinese Vice President Wang visits Lahore to promote trade cooperation

China will always stand by Pakistan's "core interests" no matter how the international landscape changes, visiting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-vice-president-to-arrive-in-pakistan-on-sunday-221776">Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan</a> has said as he cited the $60 billion CPEC as the manifestation of their all-weather relationship.

Addressing a meeting on Sunday organised by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), the senior Chinese leader said the world was passing through a time of major developments and transformation.&nbsp;

The situation, he emphasised, had been further complicated by traditional and non-traditional challenges and conflict between opposing schools of thought and culture.

"No matter how the international landscape changes, China will always stand by Pakistan's core interests, and both Pakistan and China have made the right choice based on equality and mutual benefit," Wang said.&nbsp;

Wang, a member of the politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China, said that the spirit of the Silk Road binds the two countries together with a common heritage and history.

He also appreciated the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said that the second phase of the project would even bring more benefits for both Pakistan and China.

The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

"The CPEC has come a long way over the past five years. The CPEC is rapidly extending to new priority areas including industrial parks and livelihoods," he said.

The Chinese leader said that China and Pakistan were all-weather strategic partners. He recalled Pakistan's support for China at critical moments&nbsp;and said that his country always supported Pakistan to achieve core interests.

He said that the CPEC was a manifestation of their collaborative relations.

Wang also referred to the international situation and said that despite challenges, the way forward is globalisation, free trade and people-to-people connectivity.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the CPEC was a binding force between Pakistan and China.

Citing the recent visit of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-warns-against-war-in-region-amid-iran-tensions-with-us-saudi-221530/amp">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> to China for the Belt and Road Forum, he praised the CPEC for contributing to the progress of Pakistan.&nbsp;

China will always stand by Pakistan's "core interests" no matter how the international landscape changes, visiting Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan has said as he cited the $60 billion CPEC as the manifestation of their all-weather relationship.

China will always stand by Pakistan's "core interests" no matter how the international landscape changes, visiting Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan has said as he cited the $60 billion CPEC as the manifestation of their all-weather relationship. Addressing a meeting on Sunday organised by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), the senior Chinese leader said the world was passing through a time of major developments and transformation. The situation, he emphasised, had been further complicated by traditional and non-traditional challenges and conflict between opposing schools of thought and culture. "No matter how the international landscape changes, China will always stand by Pakistan's core interests, and both Pakistan and China have made the right choice based on equality and mutual benefit," Wang said. Wang, a member of the politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China, said that the spirit of the Silk Road binds the two countries together with a common heritage and history. He also appreciated the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said that the second phase of the project would even bring more benefits for both Pakistan and China. The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. "The CPEC has come a long way over the past five years. The CPEC is rapidly extending to new priority areas including industrial parks and livelihoods," he said. The Chinese leader said that China and Pakistan were all-weather strategic partners. He recalled Pakistan's support for China at critical moments and said that his country always supported Pakistan to achieve core interests. He said that the CPEC was a manifestation of their collaborative relations. Wang also referred to the international situation and said that despite challenges, the way forward is globalisation, free trade and people-to-people connectivity. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the CPEC was a binding force between Pakistan and China. Citing the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China for the Belt and Road Forum, he praised the CPEC for contributing to the progress of Pakistan.

China will always stand by Pakistan's 'core interests': Vice President Wang Qishan

Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth.

"Today, we hold this grand gathering with great veneration to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, to remember his great character and historic contributions and to review his noble spirit and brilliant thoughts," Xi said at the event.

Xi said Marx is the "teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times."

Marx was born in Trier, Germany on May 5, 1818. As a philosopher, economist, historian, he left a lasting legacy on the world.

This year also marks the 170th anniversary of “The Communist Manifesto” written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It has been serving as a guiding principle for the Communist movement and has profoundly changed the world.

This year also marks the 170th anniversary of “The Communist Manifesto” written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth. "Today, we hold this grand gathering with great veneration to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, to remember his great character and historic contributions and to review his noble spirit and brilliant thoughts," Xi said at the event. Xi said Marx is the "teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times." Marx was born in Trier, Germany on May 5, 1818. As a philosopher, economist, historian, he left a lasting legacy on the world. This year also marks the 170th anniversary of “The Communist Manifesto” written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It has been serving as a guiding principle for the Communist movement and has profoundly changed the world.

Karl Marx greatest thinker of modern times, says President Xi on 200th anniversary

China has aimed at making the free trade port system and operational mode of Hainan "more mature" by 2035.

A free trade port system will be "basically established" in Hainan by 2025, according to the guidelines on supporting Hainan's efforts to deepen reform and opening up jointly released by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Further, an investment fund will be set up to support the Hainan's development of a free trade port.

China's President Xi Jinping on Friday announced a decision by the CPC Central Committee to support building Hainan into a pilot free trade zone and further build it into a free trade port.

He further welcomed the investors to contribute to the development of the port. He made these statements at the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone.

Further various multinational companies have also been invited to set up their regional offices at Hainan.

Hainan has been declared at the Special Economic Zone.&nbsp

China has aimed at making the free trade port system and operational mode of Hainan 'more mature' by 2035

China has aimed at making the free trade port system and operational mode of Hainan "more mature" by 2035. A free trade port system will be "basically established" in Hainan by 2025, according to the guidelines on supporting Hainan's efforts to deepen reform and opening up jointly released by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. Further, an investment fund will be set up to support the Hainan's development of a free trade port. China's President Xi Jinping on Friday announced a decision by the CPC Central Committee to support building Hainan into a pilot free trade zone and further build it into a free trade port. He further welcomed the investors to contribute to the development of the port. He made these statements at the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone. Further various multinational companies have also been invited to set up their regional offices at Hainan. Hainan has been declared at the Special Economic Zone.

China aims at establishing Hainan free trade zone by 2035

As Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to solidify his rule with an unlimited tenure, he was all praise for the one-party system furthered by the ruling Communist Party saying that it prevented rotation of power and &quot;nasty competition&quot; among political parties in a multi-party democracy.

The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) is &quot;a great contribution to the political civilisation of humanity,&quot; Xi told delegates from some of the small political parties which functioned in a low key manner under the shadows of the CPC.

The Chinese system is new, Xi said, because it unites all political parties and people without party affiliation toward a common goal, effectively preventing the flaws of the absence of oversight in one-party rule, or &quot;power rotation and nasty competition among multiple political parties,&quot; state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

It steers away from another weakness of the old-fashioned party system, in which decision making and governance, confined by interests of different political parties, classes, regions and groups, tears the society apart, he said. 
Chinese leaders in the past have vowed not to ape the western political systems.

Xi was speaking at a joint panel discussion yesterday with &quot;political advisors&quot; from the China Democratic League and the China Zhi Gong Party, those without party affiliation and those from the sector of returned overseas Chinese, at the first session of the advisory body the Chinese People&#39;s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Xinhua report said.

His comments came as the Chinese Parliament, the National People?s Congress (NPC), began its two-week long annual session today with a legislative agenda which included ratifying a constitutional amendment removing the two-term rule for the President and Vice President.

The rule followed by the CPC for over two decades to prevent dictatorial ruler emerging from the ranks as well as to promote collective leadership effectively removes the last hurdle for 64-year-old Xi to continue beyond the end of his second term in 2023 and possibly for life.

Xi is already regarded as the most powerful leader of China after Chairman Mao Zedong as he held the posts of head of the CPC, the military and the Presidency.

The NPC was also expected to endorse another draft constitutional amendment to enshrine Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the fundamental law.

This would ensure that Xi&#39;s name is written into the Constitution making him on par with Mao.

The draft suggests Xi Jinping thought be juxtaposed with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the Theory of Three Represents as a new guiding theory in the preamble of the Constitution, Xinhua said.

The name of Xi and his thought figured numerous times in the annual work report read out Premier Li Keqiang today at the opening session of the NPC, which observers said conferred to Xi the status and authority which was enjoyed by Mao during the heydays of China?s revolution which brought CPC to power in 1949.

Since then CPC remained the only ruling party. In the subsequent years, it permitted eight non-Communist parties which functioned under the shadows and authority of CPC.

Xi said the Chinese system is new because it combines Marxist political party theories with China&#39;s reality, and truly, extensively and in the long term represents fundamental interests of all people and all ethnic groups and fulfills their aspiration, avoiding the defects of the old-fashioned party system which represents only a selective few or the vested interest.

The system also pools ideas and suggestions through institutional, procedural and develops a scientific and democratic decision-making mechanism, he said.

Fitting China&#39;s reality and fine traditional culture, it is &quot;a great contribution to the political civilisation of humanity,&quot; he said.

Xi said upholding the CPC leadership was not meant to do away with democracy. Instead, it aims to create a form of democracy that is broader and more effective, he said.

The CPC-led system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation stresses both the CPC leadership and socialist democracy which features political consultation, participation in the deliberation of state affairs, and democratic supervision, he said.

Acknowledging their contribution to achievements made in the past five years, Xi called on non-communist parties and people without party affiliation to enhance confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with

Chinese characteristics, consolidate political orientation and actively offer their suggestions.

Non-communist parties and people without party affiliation should act as good consultants, aides, and co-workers of the CPC while improving their capability of consultation, he said.

He urged intellectuals to set the example of upholding socialist core values and organisations of returned overseas Chinese to unite and mobilise overseas Chinese.

Nearly 3,000 legislators from around the country will attend the two-week gathering of NPC in Beijing.

Xi is already regarded as the most powerful leader of China after Chairman Mao Zedong as he held the posts of head of the CPC, the military and the Presidency

As Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to solidify his rule with an unlimited tenure, he was all praise for the one-party system furthered by the ruling Communist Party saying that it prevented rotation of power and "nasty competition" among political parties in a multi-party democracy. The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) is "a great contribution to the political civilisation of humanity," Xi told delegates from some of the small political parties which functioned in a low key manner under the shadows of the CPC. The Chinese system is new, Xi said, because it unites all political parties and people without party affiliation toward a common goal, effectively preventing the flaws of the absence of oversight in one-party rule, or "power rotation and nasty competition among multiple political parties," state-run Xinhua news agency reported today. It steers away from another weakness of the old-fashioned party system, in which decision making and governance, confined by interests of different political parties, classes, regions and groups, tears the society apart, he said. Chinese leaders in the past have vowed not to ape the western political systems. Xi was speaking at a joint panel discussion yesterday with "political advisors" from the China Democratic League and the China Zhi Gong Party, those without party affiliation and those from the sector of returned overseas Chinese, at the first session of the advisory body the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Xinhua report said. His comments came as the Chinese Parliament, the National People?s Congress (NPC), began its two-week long annual session today with a legislative agenda which included ratifying a constitutional amendment removing the two-term rule for the President and Vice President. The rule followed by the CPC for over two decades to prevent dictatorial ruler emerging from the ranks as well as to promote collective leadership effectively removes the last hurdle for 64-year-old Xi to continue beyond the end of his second term in 2023 and possibly for life. Xi is already regarded as the most powerful leader of China after Chairman Mao Zedong as he held the posts of head of the CPC, the military and the Presidency. The NPC was also expected to endorse another draft constitutional amendment to enshrine Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the fundamental law. This would ensure that Xi's name is written into the Constitution making him on par with Mao. The draft suggests Xi Jinping thought be juxtaposed with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the Theory of Three Represents as a new guiding theory in the preamble of the Constitution, Xinhua said. The name of Xi and his thought figured numerous times in the annual work report read out Premier Li Keqiang today at the opening session of the NPC, which observers said conferred to Xi the status and authority which was enjoyed by Mao during the heydays of China?s revolution which brought CPC to power in 1949. Since then CPC remained the only ruling party. In the subsequent years, it permitted eight non-Communist parties which functioned under the shadows and authority of CPC. Xi said the Chinese system is new because it combines Marxist political party theories with China's reality, and truly, extensively and in the long term represents fundamental interests of all people and all ethnic groups and fulfills their aspiration, avoiding the defects of the old-fashioned party system which represents only a selective few or the vested interest. The system also pools ideas and suggestions through institutional, procedural and develops a scientific and democratic decision-making mechanism, he said. Fitting China's reality and fine traditional culture, it is "a great contribution to the political civilisation of humanity," he said. Xi said upholding the CPC leadership was not meant to do away with democracy. Instead, it aims to create a form of democracy that is broader and more effective, he said. The CPC-led system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation stresses both the CPC leadership and socialist democracy which features political consultation, participation in the deliberation of state affairs, and democratic supervision, he said. Acknowledging their contribution to achievements made in the past five years, Xi called on non-communist parties and people without party affiliation to enhance confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, consolidate political orientation and actively offer their suggestions. Non-communist parties and people without party affiliation should act as good consultants, aides, and co-workers of the CPC while improving their capability of consultation, he said. He urged intellectuals to set the example of upholding socialist core values and organisations of returned overseas Chinese to unite and mobilise overseas Chinese. Nearly 3,000 legislators from around the country will attend the two-week gathering of NPC in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping praises Communist Party rule, says multi-party democracy promotes nasty competition

The US on Wednesday said it was closely watching China&#39;s ruling Communist Party&#39;s plans to abolish presidential term limits while asserting that strong institutions were more important than individual leaders.

&quot;We have been following very closely what has happened in China and the response to Communist Party seeking to abolish term limits there,&quot; State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference.

&quot;Strong institutions &mdash; and this is another fundamental freedom of the US &mdash; we believe that strong institutions are more important than individual leaders,&quot; she said.

The Communist Party of China, which is in power since the founding of the People&#39;s Republic in 1949, had proposed on Sunday to amend the country&#39;s Constitution to remove the two-term limits for the President and Vice President, potentially allowing Xi Jinping to rule for life.

Nauert said promoting human rights and democratic governance was a core element of the US foreign policy

&quot;Its an essential foundation of a stable, secure and functioning society,&quot; she said, adding that the United States remains &quot;unwavering&quot; in its commitment to advance personal liberty, human dignity and prosperity globally.

Nauert said promoting human rights and democratic governance was a core element of the US foreign policy

The US on Wednesday said it was closely watching China's ruling Communist Party's plans to abolish presidential term limits while asserting that strong institutions were more important than individual leaders. "We have been following very closely what has happened in China and the response to Communist Party seeking to abolish term limits there," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference. "Strong institutions — and this is another fundamental freedom of the US — we believe that strong institutions are more important than individual leaders," she said. The Communist Party of China, which is in power since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, had proposed on Sunday to amend the country's Constitution to remove the two-term limits for the President and Vice President, potentially allowing Xi Jinping to rule for life. Nauert said promoting human rights and democratic governance was a core element of the US foreign policy "Its an essential foundation of a stable, secure and functioning society," she said, adding that the United States remains "unwavering" in its commitment to advance personal liberty, human dignity and prosperity globally.

Closely following China's presidential term limit move: US

Well before the United Nations decided to dedicate several days of the year celebrating one or the other women issues, China had taken special initiatives to ameliorate the condition of women in that country. The latest among these measures is the passage of an anti-domestic violence law in December 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The new legislation signifies one of the novel state initiatives to address gender inequality in the domestic sphere. It is mainly the government-run women&rsquo;s organisation like All-China Women&rsquo;s Federation (ACWF) along with other women&rsquo;s networks which created positive legal awareness about women&rsquo;s rights and, thus,&nbsp;sensitised the Chinese government to formulate laws regarding these issues.

The government in China has managed the social conflict by adopting various social transformative measures from time to time. Immediately after the revolution in early the 1950s, China has formulated the first marriage law which addresses women&rsquo;s equal right to choose life partners. Another important step towards gender equality was the land reform law which ensured women&rsquo;s equal right to property, especially in terms of land entitlement.

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So, the government and the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) sought to address gender equality by granting rights to women in personal spheres and also in public spheres. Over the years, the government has also amended these laws on marriage and property to bring new complexities in the different social milieu and, thus, address women&rsquo;s rights pertaining to the right to get a divorce, share in the property and the maintenance rights.

The Chinese public policies on women have been quite empowering in the sense that women&rsquo;s participation in the economic production was ensured through different mechanisms. Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the CPC for almost half a decade coined the phrase &lsquo;Women hold up half the sky&rsquo; to project women as good workers and capable labouring hands. The phrases like &lsquo;Iron Girls&rsquo; and &lsquo;What Men can do Women can do too&rsquo; really captured the equality rhetoric of that era.

Women participated equally in heavy work and also outside the home which is otherwise known as men&rsquo;s domains. In the Chinese official rhetoric, the women were portrayed as role models to be followed by others. Millions of women came out of their home and took active participation in state-run economic and social construction projects.

Moreover, women in China from its imperial past has proved to be most successful whether it is Empress Dowarger CiXi who holds a great political authority in imperial era or Madame Song Qing Liang who made a great contribution in the new People&rsquo;s Republic to female actress Gongli Known for films like Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern, has won awards from the Berlin International Film Festival to Cannes. She was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2000.

Now, women in China have also made a remarkable achievement in the lesser-known women&rsquo;s spheres. It ranges from Guo Jianmei, first public interest lawyer in China, Hu Shuli, the editor-in-chief of Caixin media group and made her name as an investigative journalist. Women are able to enter the domains which were usually dominated by men.

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<h5>Women in China now are leading the economic spheres and women really control the assets and most of the successful entrepreneurs are women in China.</h5>
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Women at a very young age of 30-40 years are able to make a breakthrough in sectors, such as finance, banking and real estate. Soho China CEO Zhang Xin, the real estate developer has transformed Beijing&rsquo;s skyline and Liu Qing, CEO Didi Kuaidi, online taxi services in Shanghai, also made a mark in online shopping commerce platforms.

Women in China now are leading the economic spheres and women really control the assets and most of the successful entrepreneurs are women in China. Women entrepreneurs are moving away from industries traditionally associated with women, such as garments and beauty products and venturing into sectors usually dominated by men, such as digital products and furniture.

Women command greater visibility in all the spheres of China&rsquo;s economy as well as social life. For a visitor who first time travels to China especially from India the public portrayal of confident and successful women images are quite an astonishing phenomenon. Being an immigration officer to taxi drivers, from bank to hotel managers, laoban (Boss) is a common everyday vocabulary used to depict Chinese women&rsquo;s lives.

In China, women are no longer the &lsquo;iron girls&rsquo; of the socialist era, but they have become wealthier compared to women in any part of the world. These women&rsquo;s images have often been displayed by the state-run media channels as &lsquo;capable women&rsquo; who have really carved out space for themselves.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Women in China now are leading the economic spheres and they have become wealthier compared to women in any part of the world

Well before the United Nations decided to dedicate several days of the year celebrating one or the other women issues, China had taken special initiatives to ameliorate the condition of women in that country. The latest among these measures is the passage of an anti-domestic violence law in December 2015. The new legislation signifies one of the novel state initiatives to address gender inequality in the domestic sphere. It is mainly the government-run women’s organisation like All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) along with other women’s networks which created positive legal awareness about women’s rights and, thus, sensitised the Chinese government to formulate laws regarding these issues. The government in China has managed the social conflict by adopting various social transformative measures from time to time. Immediately after the revolution in early the 1950s, China has formulated the first marriage law which addresses women’s equal right to choose life partners. Another important step towards gender equality was the land reform law which ensured women’s equal right to property, especially in terms of land entitlement. The Chinese public policies on women have been quite empowering in the sense that women’s participation in the economic production was ensured through different mechanisms. × So, the government and the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) sought to address gender equality by granting rights to women in personal spheres and also in public spheres. Over the years, the government has also amended these laws on marriage and property to bring new complexities in the different social milieu and, thus, address women’s rights pertaining to the right to get a divorce, share in the property and the maintenance rights. The Chinese public policies on women have been quite empowering in the sense that women’s participation in the economic production was ensured through different mechanisms. Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the CPC for almost half a decade coined the phrase ‘Women hold up half the sky’ to project women as good workers and capable labouring hands. The phrases like ‘Iron Girls’ and ‘What Men can do Women can do too’ really captured the equality rhetoric of that era. Women participated equally in heavy work and also outside the home which is otherwise known as men’s domains. In the Chinese official rhetoric, the women were portrayed as role models to be followed by others. Millions of women came out of their home and took active participation in state-run economic and social construction projects. Moreover, women in China from its imperial past has proved to be most successful whether it is Empress Dowarger CiXi who holds a great political authority in imperial era or Madame Song Qing Liang who made a great contribution in the new People’s Republic to female actress Gongli Known for films like Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern, has won awards from the Berlin International Film Festival to Cannes. She was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2000. Now, women in China have also made a remarkable achievement in the lesser-known women’s spheres. It ranges from Guo Jianmei, first public interest lawyer in China, Hu Shuli, the editor-in-chief of Caixin media group and made her name as an investigative journalist. Women are able to enter the domains which were usually dominated by men. Women in China now are leading the economic spheres and women really control the assets and most of the successful entrepreneurs are women in China. × Women at a very young age of 30-40 years are able to make a breakthrough in sectors, such as finance, banking and real estate. Soho China CEO Zhang Xin, the real estate developer has transformed Beijing’s skyline and Liu Qing, CEO Didi Kuaidi, online taxi services in Shanghai, also made a mark in online shopping commerce platforms. Women in China now are leading the economic spheres and women really control the assets and most of the successful entrepreneurs are women in China. Women entrepreneurs are moving away from industries traditionally associated with women, such as garments and beauty products and venturing into sectors usually dominated by men, such as digital products and furniture. Women command greater visibility in all the spheres of China’s economy as well as social life. For a visitor who first time travels to China especially from India the public portrayal of confident and successful women images are quite an astonishing phenomenon. Being an immigration officer to taxi drivers, from bank to hotel managers, laoban (Boss) is a common everyday vocabulary used to depict Chinese women’s lives. In China, women are no longer the ‘iron girls’ of the socialist era, but they have become wealthier compared to women in any part of the world. These women’s images have often been displayed by the state-run media channels as ‘capable women’ who have really carved out space for themselves. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Women in China are wealthier than others

It is time to read the Chinese politics. If every Congress in the Chinese political chronicle has been &ldquo;special&rdquo; in offering something new to the country&rsquo;s political trajectory, the just concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held from 18-24 October 2017 offers equally a number of entries that makes it one of the most &ldquo;special&rdquo; events in post-Mao China.

The Congress seems to have not only solidified Xi Jinping&rsquo;s authority in the Chinese political system as &ldquo;paramount&rdquo; leader but also offers a blueprint for the CPC which will guide China through 2022 and beyond.

Known as the real &ldquo;political heart&rdquo; of China&rsquo;s statehood, the Congress is the national chorale through which the CPC sets the direction of China&rsquo;s rise (????), both domestically and internationally. Though many would still like to view the Congress essentially as a domestic political event of China, it is the party&rsquo;s National Congress that is the most important political event that determines the landscape of Chinese politics, which is the real basis of China&rsquo;s ascendancy to power today.

In fact, almost every domestic development in China has its correlation with China&rsquo;s external posture and the 19th Congress was no different in that regard. What however made this the &ldquo;most special&rdquo; event in China&rsquo;s post-Republic political history is the CPC parameters which have embraced Xi Jinping&rsquo;s &ldquo;core&rdquo; (??) thoughts and ideas to guide China over the next two or three decades to mark the authority of the Communist system in the country as a reference to the rest of the world politics.

The 19th National Congress was &lsquo;special&rsquo; for several reasons. First, it marked the formal endorsement of Xi Jinping&rsquo;s second term as President of China till 2022. Even though it was quite apparent before this event that Xi Jinping would continue as President for the second term, the 19th Congress clearly making Xi Jinping the &ldquo;custodian political figure&rdquo; of the CPC while inducting his political thoughts and key ideas into the Chinese Constitution that Xi will decide the nature and future of Chinese politics in the decade to come.

If the beginning of Xi&rsquo;s second term as President was quite apparent, the 19th Congress sheds light that Xi&rsquo;s control over the country&rsquo;s &ldquo;elite politics&rdquo; has been so strong that he would probably continue to remain in power beyond 2022. Will Xi aspire to become President for the third term?

Not really. Even though Xi would continue to retain good control over China&rsquo;s &ldquo;elite politics&rdquo;, he would not like to break the recently established usual convention to hold the Presidency beyond the second term since this will cast doubt over his motive and question his stature as China&rsquo;s true &ldquo;political reformer&rdquo;, which he has gained through the anti-corruption drive and many other domestic reforms.

Xi&rsquo;s continuation in power beyond 2022 is subject to debate, but it is becoming clear that he would probably like to retain the position of General Secretary of the CPC and perhaps the Chairmanship of the Central Military Commission (CMC) after 2022 to control the Chinese &ldquo;elite politics&rdquo; in the near to middle terms.

Second, the 19th National Congress formally endorsing Xi&rsquo;s political thought and ideas as the fundamental basis of China&rsquo;s political graph in times to come by amending the Chinese constitution. While the catchphrase is on how to promote a culture of &lsquo;Socialism with Chinese characteristics&rsquo;, Xi&rsquo;s emphasis involves new ideas and strategies to carry forward reform while offering greater role to market forces in allocating resources, advancing the Chinese soft power network globally and to carry out structural reform in China that will enhance party&rsquo;s stature.

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<h5>The CPC has smartly built a context over the last five years to mark Xi&rsquo;s political slogans as key ideas and thought in China&rsquo;s ever-evolving political process.</h5>
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In fact, the CPC has smartly built a context over the last five years to mark Xi&rsquo;s political slogans as key ideas and thought in China&rsquo;s ever-evolving political process. Inducting Xi&rsquo;s thoughts into the Chinese constitution while making an amendment makes the 19th National Congress a special event. Amending the constitution, however, is not a big call; rather inducing a political leader&rsquo;s core thoughts and ideas by specially naming a particular leader in the constitution is a special call.

Even though every National Congress and eventually the Chinese constitution have mentioned the political thoughts and key ideas of previous Presidents of China, the Constitution so far has only mentioned the name of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping exclusively along with the great names of Marx and Lenin. Acknowledging Xi Jinping&rsquo;s political thoughts and ideas by naming him is a special recognition since both the previous Presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao have failed to earn.

Jiang Zemin&rsquo;s core idea of &ldquo;three representatives&rdquo; was based on empowering the CPC through economic production, thrusting on Chinese culture and building political consensus. Hu Jintao&rsquo;s &ldquo;Scientific Outlook on Development&rdquo; was equally a powerful economic mantra aimed to change the Chinese discourse of development under the CPC from an &ldquo;over-reliant&rdquo; society to a progressive society that would thrust on a &ldquo;high-quality&rdquo; workforce through improved science and technology.

Neither Jiang&rsquo;s nor Hu&rsquo;s name directly figured against their thoughts or core ideas even though their political thoughts and ideas have been widely acknowledged in the constitution. The 19th Congress becomes &ldquo;distinct&rdquo; in this regard since Xi Jinping seems to have managed to develop a consensus among the political elites of China to induct his name as a reformer and path-maker for China. Legitimising the process to acknowledge Xi&rsquo;s political thoughts and ideas in the constitution has not only marked a new beginning for the CPC but also made Xi a &ldquo;generational leader&rdquo; equivalent to the stature of Mao and Deng.

Third, Xi&rsquo;s political thoughts and ideas surrounding the concept of &ldquo;Four Comprehensiveness&rdquo; (?????), popularly known as four Cs, makes the 19th National Congress a special event. Xi publicly started talking about the four Cs concept during his visit to Jiangsu province in December 2014 where he appealed to the party workers and people of China to restore faith in the CPC.

The four Cs principles are &ndash; comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepen reform, comprehensively implement the rule of law, and comprehensively strengthen party discipline. These ideas may seem to be full of jargon, but they certainly hold utmost relevance in China&rsquo;s domestic political context since they are linked closely with the future of the CPC.

These principles are closely linked to reforms- political, economic and legal- that China is craving for long. How much these reforms will be achieved is still a matter of debate though: but politically, these are attached to Xi&rsquo;s core idea of executing the &ldquo;Chinese dream&rdquo; (???) and building a &ldquo;prosperous society&rdquo; which are essentially linked to address the poverty in the country, challenges emanating from environmental degradation, and the existing regional disparities primarily between urban and rural China.&nbsp;

Besides, Xi has advocated these ideas with the spirit of restoring China&rsquo;s historical glory as a powerful nation through the supremacy of the CPC in the 21st century where the goal is to rejuvenate the Chinese nation. Core to Xi&rsquo;s idea is &ldquo;two 100-years goals&rdquo;: (a) to build a moderately prosperous society in China by 2021, and (b) to establish a &ldquo;strong, affluent and modern country&rdquo; as a developed nation by 2049.

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<h5>Massive corruption, intra-party rivalry, and the party&rsquo;s disinclination to accept transparency have been some of the issues that had cast doubt on the future of the CPC.</h5>
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These ideas may look ambitious and superfluous, yet the aim is to mark the CPC&rsquo;s authority while building China&rsquo;s future through an impressive economic fortune. This was systematically planned by Xi in his first tenure as President since the acceptability of the CPC was waning rapidly in Chinese society over the last one decade.

Massive corruption, intra-party rivalry, and the party&rsquo;s disinclination to accept transparency have been some of the issues that had cast doubt on the future of the CPC. Xi&rsquo;s four Cs concept therefore comes not only to rescue the declining stature of the CPC but also to raise the party&rsquo;s legitimacy in Chinese society to bring necessary economic and political reforms.&nbsp;

Fourth, the 19th National Congress displays shades of the return of the CPC&rsquo;s &ldquo;command culture&rdquo;, which would be recurring under Xi&rsquo;s authority in 21st-century China. The return of the &ldquo;command culture&rdquo; is a subject that is less about the style of party functioning but more about the style of the functioning of the leaders.

While the 19th National Congress making Xi one of the most powerful leaders in Chinese history after Mao, the Congress also witnessed how the &ldquo;command culture&rdquo; of the CPC can be restored with the &ldquo;general secretary&rdquo; of the CPC, which is the earlier version of &ldquo;Chairman of the Central Committee&rdquo; of the CPC. Mao always has been referred to as &ldquo;Chairman Mao&rdquo; while Deng Xiaoping managed to enjoy the tag of &ldquo;Chairmanship&rdquo; for a few initial years before the position of &ldquo;Chairman&rdquo; was eventually removed in 1982.

Since then, &ldquo;general secretary&rdquo; has been the main political label in China, which Xi currently holds after Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. Though the 19th Congress still continues to persist with the position of &ldquo;general secretary&rdquo;, still the term &ldquo;Chairman&rdquo; has been used against Xi&rsquo;s name symbolically in the recent past to augment his stature in the Chinese political spectrum. For instance, the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army (PLA) was noticed addressing Xi as &ldquo;Chairman&rdquo; and &ldquo;Comrade&rdquo; during the recent 20th commemoration ceremony of Hong Kong&rsquo;s handover to China. The phrasings of &ldquo;Chairmanship&rdquo; and &ldquo;Comradeship&rdquo; were most frequently used during Mao&rsquo;s period.

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<h5>China has not only emerged as the largest trading partner with 128 countries in the world but equally emerged as a favourite destination for investment.</h5>
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</div>

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In brief, the 19th Congress was not just a National Congress that it appears to be. This Congress would be remembered for two precise reasons: first, for strengthening Xi Jinping&rsquo;s stature in China&rsquo;s evolving political process; and second, to prepare a ground for the CPC to guide China to the third decade of the 21st century. Besides, the 19th National Congress occurred when China has emerged as the second-largest economy in the world.

China has not only emerged as the largest trading partner with 128 countries in the world but equally emerged as a favourite destination for investment. Therefore, the 19th National Congress has prepared the path of political fortune of a stronger &lsquo;economic power&rsquo; that will deeply influence the global politics in times to come.&nbsp;

Amidst all these, one needs to ask: what impact the 19th National Congress really leaves for China&rsquo;s broader decision-making process? Politics, political rulers, and their complex background decide what China is today. Understanding the complex functioning of an administration is always a difficult task, particularly in a country like China, where the leadership intentions and the decision-making course remain highly secret.

Xi Jinping&rsquo;s growing personality as a tall leader with the conclusion of the 19th National Congress makes China&rsquo;s political process much more opaque&nbsp;and leadership-centric. There is no denying that the political process in China would continue to remain complex where Xi Jinping will decide the fortune of major decisions for the moment, be it domestic or international.&nbsp;

Debates regarding the success and significance of the 19th National Congress will continue in the ensuing days and months. The importance of this Congress will also be seen in the context of leadership changes that have already been made in the Central Committee of the 19th CPC and eventually in the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) and the Central Military Commission (CMC). New leaders and their rank profile will make the headlines.

Amidst this, it is difficult to ignore that the CPC&rsquo;s stature is apparently growing. The world might continue to question the CPC&rsquo;s realness: but China&rsquo;s fate unquestionably depends upon the CPC&rsquo;s governance structure and the authority of its leadership, which the 19th Congress aptly explains. Though the CPC has gone through many changes since its first Congress in 1921, the core element of the Party and the Chinese state still remain intact: that is to build a stronger &ldquo;socialist structure&rdquo;. Xi Jinping seems to be reinstating the same through the 19th National Congress. Above all, the Congress signified China&rsquo;s rising character as a successful Communist system even though the democratic world would like to question the transparency and sheerness of this system.

With a powerful political approach, Xi Jinping has strengthened his stature in China?s evolving political process

It is time to read the Chinese politics. If every Congress in the Chinese political chronicle has been “special” in offering something new to the country’s political trajectory, the just concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held from 18-24 October 2017 offers equally a number of entries that makes it one of the most “special” events in post-Mao China. The Congress seems to have not only solidified Xi Jinping’s authority in the Chinese political system as “paramount” leader but also offers a blueprint for the CPC which will guide China through 2022 and beyond. Known as the real “political heart” of China’s statehood, the Congress is the national chorale through which the CPC sets the direction of China’s rise (????), both domestically and internationally. Though many would still like to view the Congress essentially as a domestic political event of China, it is the party’s National Congress that is the most important political event that determines the landscape of Chinese politics, which is the real basis of China’s ascendancy to power today. In fact, almost every domestic development in China has its correlation with China’s external posture and the 19th Congress was no different in that regard. What however made this the “most special” event in China’s post-Republic political history is the CPC parameters which have embraced Xi Jinping’s “core” (??) thoughts and ideas to guide China over the next two or three decades to mark the authority of the Communist system in the country as a reference to the rest of the world politics. The 19th National Congress was ‘special’ for several reasons. First, it marked the formal endorsement of Xi Jinping’s second term as President of China till 2022. Even though it was quite apparent before this event that Xi Jinping would continue as President for the second term, the 19th Congress clearly making Xi Jinping the “custodian political figure” of the CPC while inducting his political thoughts and key ideas into the Chinese Constitution that Xi will decide the nature and future of Chinese politics in the decade to come. If the beginning of Xi’s second term as President was quite apparent, the 19th Congress sheds light that Xi’s control over the country’s “elite politics” has been so strong that he would probably continue to remain in power beyond 2022. Will Xi aspire to become President for the third term? Not really. Even though Xi would continue to retain good control over China’s “elite politics”, he would not like to break the recently established usual convention to hold the Presidency beyond the second term since this will cast doubt over his motive and question his stature as China’s true “political reformer”, which he has gained through the anti-corruption drive and many other domestic reforms. Xi’s continuation in power beyond 2022 is subject to debate, but it is becoming clear that he would probably like to retain the position of General Secretary of the CPC and perhaps the Chairmanship of the Central Military Commission (CMC) after 2022 to control the Chinese “elite politics” in the near to middle terms. Second, the 19th National Congress formally endorsing Xi’s political thought and ideas as the fundamental basis of China’s political graph in times to come by amending the Chinese constitution. While the catchphrase is on how to promote a culture of ‘Socialism with Chinese characteristics’, Xi’s emphasis involves new ideas and strategies to carry forward reform while offering greater role to market forces in allocating resources, advancing the Chinese soft power network globally and to carry out structural reform in China that will enhance party’s stature. The CPC has smartly built a context over the last five years to mark Xi’s political slogans as key ideas and thought in China’s ever-evolving political process. × In fact, the CPC has smartly built a context over the last five years to mark Xi’s political slogans as key ideas and thought in China’s ever-evolving political process. Inducting Xi’s thoughts into the Chinese constitution while making an amendment makes the 19th National Congress a special event. Amending the constitution, however, is not a big call; rather inducing a political leader’s core thoughts and ideas by specially naming a particular leader in the constitution is a special call. Even though every National Congress and eventually the Chinese constitution have mentioned the political thoughts and key ideas of previous Presidents of China, the Constitution so far has only mentioned the name of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping exclusively along with the great names of Marx and Lenin. Acknowledging Xi Jinping’s political thoughts and ideas by naming him is a special recognition since both the previous Presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao have failed to earn. Jiang Zemin’s core idea of “three representatives” was based on empowering the CPC through economic production, thrusting on Chinese culture and building political consensus. Hu Jintao’s “Scientific Outlook on Development” was equally a powerful economic mantra aimed to change the Chinese discourse of development under the CPC from an “over-reliant” society to a progressive society that would thrust on a “high-quality” workforce through improved science and technology. Neither Jiang’s nor Hu’s name directly figured against their thoughts or core ideas even though their political thoughts and ideas have been widely acknowledged in the constitution. The 19th Congress becomes “distinct” in this regard since Xi Jinping seems to have managed to develop a consensus among the political elites of China to induct his name as a reformer and path-maker for China. Legitimising the process to acknowledge Xi’s political thoughts and ideas in the constitution has not only marked a new beginning for the CPC but also made Xi a “generational leader” equivalent to the stature of Mao and Deng. Third, Xi’s political thoughts and ideas surrounding the concept of “Four Comprehensiveness” (?????), popularly known as four Cs, makes the 19th National Congress a special event. Xi publicly started talking about the four Cs concept during his visit to Jiangsu province in December 2014 where he appealed to the party workers and people of China to restore faith in the CPC. The four Cs principles are – comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepen reform, comprehensively implement the rule of law, and comprehensively strengthen party discipline. These ideas may seem to be full of jargon, but they certainly hold utmost relevance in China’s domestic political context since they are linked closely with the future of the CPC. These principles are closely linked to reforms- political, economic and legal- that China is craving for long. How much these reforms will be achieved is still a matter of debate though: but politically, these are attached to Xi’s core idea of executing the “Chinese dream” (???) and building a “prosperous society” which are essentially linked to address the poverty in the country, challenges emanating from environmental degradation, and the existing regional disparities primarily between urban and rural China. Besides, Xi has advocated these ideas with the spirit of restoring China’s historical glory as a powerful nation through the supremacy of the CPC in the 21st century where the goal is to rejuvenate the Chinese nation. Core to Xi’s idea is “two 100-years goals”: (a) to build a moderately prosperous society in China by 2021, and (b) to establish a “strong, affluent and modern country” as a developed nation by 2049. Massive corruption, intra-party rivalry, and the party’s disinclination to accept transparency have been some of the issues that had cast doubt on the future of the CPC. × These ideas may look ambitious and superfluous, yet the aim is to mark the CPC’s authority while building China’s future through an impressive economic fortune. This was systematically planned by Xi in his first tenure as President since the acceptability of the CPC was waning rapidly in Chinese society over the last one decade. Massive corruption, intra-party rivalry, and the party’s disinclination to accept transparency have been some of the issues that had cast doubt on the future of the CPC. Xi’s four Cs concept therefore comes not only to rescue the declining stature of the CPC but also to raise the party’s legitimacy in Chinese society to bring necessary economic and political reforms. Fourth, the 19th National Congress displays shades of the return of the CPC’s “command culture”, which would be recurring under Xi’s authority in 21st-century China. The return of the “command culture” is a subject that is less about the style of party functioning but more about the style of the functioning of the leaders. While the 19th National Congress making Xi one of the most powerful leaders in Chinese history after Mao, the Congress also witnessed how the “command culture” of the CPC can be restored with the “general secretary” of the CPC, which is the earlier version of “Chairman of the Central Committee” of the CPC. Mao always has been referred to as “Chairman Mao” while Deng Xiaoping managed to enjoy the tag of “Chairmanship” for a few initial years before the position of “Chairman” was eventually removed in 1982. Since then, “general secretary” has been the main political label in China, which Xi currently holds after Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. Though the 19th Congress still continues to persist with the position of “general secretary”, still the term “Chairman” has been used against Xi’s name symbolically in the recent past to augment his stature in the Chinese political spectrum. For instance, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was noticed addressing Xi as “Chairman” and “Comrade” during the recent 20th commemoration ceremony of Hong Kong’s handover to China. The phrasings of “Chairmanship” and “Comradeship” were most frequently used during Mao’s period. China has not only emerged as the largest trading partner with 128 countries in the world but equally emerged as a favourite destination for investment. × In brief, the 19th Congress was not just a National Congress that it appears to be. This Congress would be remembered for two precise reasons: first, for strengthening Xi Jinping’s stature in China’s evolving political process; and second, to prepare a ground for the CPC to guide China to the third decade of the 21st century. Besides, the 19th National Congress occurred when China has emerged as the second-largest economy in the world. China has not only emerged as the largest trading partner with 128 countries in the world but equally emerged as a favourite destination for investment. Therefore, the 19th National Congress has prepared the path of political fortune of a stronger ‘economic power’ that will deeply influence the global politics in times to come. Amidst all these, one needs to ask: what impact the 19th National Congress really leaves for China’s broader decision-making process? Politics, political rulers, and their complex background decide what China is today. Understanding the complex functioning of an administration is always a difficult task, particularly in a country like China, where the leadership intentions and the decision-making course remain highly secret. Xi Jinping’s growing personality as a tall leader with the conclusion of the 19th National Congress makes China’s political process much more opaque and leadership-centric. There is no denying that the political process in China would continue to remain complex where Xi Jinping will decide the fortune of major decisions for the moment, be it domestic or international. Debates regarding the success and significance of the 19th National Congress will continue in the ensuing days and months. The importance of this Congress will also be seen in the context of leadership changes that have already been made in the Central Committee of the 19th CPC and eventually in the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) and the Central Military Commission (CMC). New leaders and their rank profile will make the headlines. Amidst this, it is difficult to ignore that the CPC’s stature is apparently growing. The world might continue to question the CPC’s realness: but China’s fate unquestionably depends upon the CPC’s governance structure and the authority of its leadership, which the 19th Congress aptly explains. Though the CPC has gone through many changes since its first Congress in 1921, the core element of the Party and the Chinese state still remain intact: that is to build a stronger “socialist structure”. Xi Jinping seems to be reinstating the same through the 19th National Congress. Above all, the Congress signified China’s rising character as a successful Communist system even though the democratic world would like to question the transparency and sheerness of this system.

With Xi at helm again, China may become strong but less transparent