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Xi's Disappearing Act Raises Questions About China's Leadership

  • Xi's world sees upheavals like disappearance of China's defence minister, causing uncertainty about his rule.

  • Growing unpredictability affects confidence countries place in China's leadership as global engagement declines.

  • With focus inward, Xi skipped G20 summit, first time in decade, concerning diplomats.

  • Corruption probes into top ranks like defence minister spur questions on true nature of Xi's regime.

  • Regional envoys say China's military diplomacy vital but changes cause concern about policy continuity.

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Relevant topic timeline:
China is making efforts to restore confidence among businesses and consumers after crackdowns on the private sector and harsh Covid restrictions have negatively impacted its economy.
Beijing needs to provide clarity on its economic plans and the national security crackdown in order to rebuild confidence in the future trajectory of China and address uncertainties, according to the head of a European business lobby in China.
As China's economic crisis unfolds, it is becoming apparent that the immense debt accumulated in building infrastructure projects, coupled with high unemployment and personal decisions made by Xi Jinping, could pose a serious threat to the regime's stability and potentially lead to a post-Communist China.
China's economic slowdown, coupled with a property market bust and local government debt crisis, is posing challenges to President Xi Jinping's goals of achieving economic growth and curbing inequality, potentially affecting the Communist Party's legitimacy and Xi's grip on power.
China's Premier Li Qiang faces significant challenges as he tries to navigate the country through an economic crisis caused by the pandemic and external pressures, including record-high youth unemployment, a property crisis, and faltering investor confidence, all of which have led to concerns about China's economic stability and long-term growth prospects.
Investors are becoming increasingly concerned about the state of China's economy as informal gauges, such as PMI surveys and soft surveys, indicate a deep-seated confidence problem and a potential miss of the country's 5% growth target this year, leading to a retreat from global assets exposed to the slowdown.
China's economy is experiencing a structural slowdown and becoming increasingly opaque, making it difficult for outsiders to understand the true state of the country's economic affairs, as President Xi Jinping prioritizes ideology over economic growth and transparency.
China's failure to restructure its economy according to President Xi Jinping's bold reform plans has raised concerns about the country's future, with the possibility of a financial or economic crisis looming and a slow drift towards stagnation being the most likely outcome. The three potential paths for China include a swift, painful crisis; a gradual winding down of excesses at the expense of growth; or a switch to a consumer-led model with structural reforms that bring short-term pain but lead to a faster and stronger emergence.
The absence of President Xi Jinping from the G20 summit and the expansion of the Brics bloc highlight the declining interest of non-Western powers in Western-led institutions, signaling a shift towards alternative economic and financial arrangements.
China's economic slowdown is posing a significant challenge to President Xi Jinping's agenda, forcing him to make difficult choices and potentially relinquish some control over the economy. The slump in housing sales and the crackdown on private capital are among the factors contributing to the economic setbacks, prompting calls for change and a reevaluation of economic policies under Xi's highly centralized leadership. However, Xi seems reluctant to make major changes to his strategy, opting for a hands-off approach and avoiding a big rescue plan for distressed developers and local governments. The central government's control over taxes and the need to revamp the fiscal system further complicate the situation. Restoring government finances while reassuring private investors is a daunting task that requires strong leadership and potentially contentious policy changes. The upcoming Communist Party meetings will shed light on how Xi plans to restore confidence in his economic agenda, but some economists and former officials warn that time may be running out for China to embrace necessary reforms.
European leaders are frustrated by Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit, as they see him as the key decision-maker and an opportunity to pitch their views on key issues like Ukraine.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit in India may be linked to internal politics and a recent dressing down from retired party elders, as China grapples with economic and social turmoil.
China's President Xi Jinping is shifting away from the aggressive "wolf warrior" diplomacy and positioning China as a global peacemaker, seeking alliances with the West and Asia, possibly due to economic challenges and a desire to establish more partnerships internationally.
Senior members of the Chinese Communist Party have criticized Xi Jinping for his alleged mismanagement of the economy, marking a rare reprimand for the Chinese leader who has decided not to attend the G20 summit in India this year and has expressed frustration to his aides, blaming past presidents for the current issues in the country.
China's economic challenges, including debt, unfavorable demographics, and a stagnating growth rate, have implications for global trade and the ambitions of President Xi Jinping, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences and strategic shifts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the leaders of heavily indebted nations, Zambia and Venezuela, for state visits to China, prioritizing bilateral diplomacy over participation in the G-20 summit in India, symbolizing China's preference for conducting diplomacy on its home soil or within groups where it holds more influence.
President Xi Jinping's absence from the G20 summit in New Delhi has left only China to explain the reason, according to a US official, casting doubt on China's commitment to the success of the bloc.
China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin will be absent from the G20 summit, highlighting changing dynamics as leaders focus on domestic issues and pursue alternative multinational organizations, while President Joe Biden sees the event as an opportunity to engage with allies and advocate for U.S. leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for unity and stability within the military amid speculation over the whereabouts of the country's defense minister, urging efforts to enforce education and troop management while maintaining a high level of unity and security.
The disappearance of China's defence minister Li Shangfu is part of a pattern of rising stars in the Communist Party of China running afoul of Beijing's powers, as seen in previous instances involving prominent personalities such as the former foreign minister Qin Gang, ex-general secretary Hu Jintao, former IT minister Xiao Yaqing, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, actor Fan Bingbing, tennis player Peng Shuai, actor Zhao Wei, and Interpol chief Meng Hongwei.
The recent purge of top military officials in China raises questions about President Xi Jinping's judgment and his ability to lead the People's Liberation Army effectively.
Chinese President Xi Jinping faces numerous challenges, including economic troubles, natural disasters, community dissent, and international conflicts, as he continues to centralize power, leading to signs of dissatisfaction and potential issues ahead.
The recent disappearance of China's defense minister and former foreign minister highlights the opacity and unpredictability of Xi Jinping's government, posing challenges for foreign businesses and governments dealing with China's lack of transparency and potential changes in policy direction.
US business confidence in China is being drained by geopolitical tensions and an economic slowdown, with only 52% of American firms optimistic about their five-year China business outlook, according to a study by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.
China's President Xi Jinping faces criticism as China shifts away from its previous economic success and becomes a "pariah state," with some scholars suggesting he is dealing with structural problems inherited from previous leaders that now threaten the Chinese Communist Party.
Chinese officials express confidence in the country's economic outlook, despite projections of weakness by institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, citing improved factory output and tourism figures as signs of recovery.
China's slowing economic growth under Xi Jinping's centralization policies could lead to resistance and expose divisions within the country, potentially threatening the CCP's power, according to former White House official John Bolton.
President Xi Jinping's efforts to tackle the housing crisis in China face obstacles as multiple property developers, including Evergrande and China Oceanwide, deal with debt restructuring, liquidation, and potential defaults, leading to investor confusion about the government's plan to stabilize the market.
China's President Xi Jinping emphasizes the need for reform and opening up the economy as foreign investors consider leaving, calling for a greater opening up of free-trade zones and a focus on playing by international trade rules. Despite these efforts, China's foreign direct investment has fallen and US businesses remain skeptical due to regulatory uncertainties and geopolitical risks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping should address the underlying causes of the country's economic troubles instead of focusing on the symptoms.
China's economy is facing uncertainties due to concerns about the property crisis, a lack of confidence, and a slowdown in year-on-year GDP growth, which is expected to be below Beijing's target of around 5%.