President Xi Jinping’s New Year Address

The major theme that stood out during President Xi Jinping’s New Year message was the theme of class harmony. The other themes were not surprising as he emphasized and praised the progress of the CCP and his goal of strengthening the Chinese military was to be expected especially considering the renewed tensions in the South China Sea. The theme of class harmony stood out as this goal was legitimized by the CCP’s 16th National Congress in 2002, but the concept dates back to the end of the Cultural Revolution and Mao’s death . Ever since the transition to a market economy the CCP has abandoned Mao’s original philosophy of constant class struggle, but instead has focused on creating harmony between the classes. Throughout his speech, Xi consistently emphasized the need to make sure that all classes benefit from China’s economic expansion. While Xi hopes to ensure that all Chinese reap the rewards of the economic expansion, the reality that the CCP has regressed and corruption remains rife, it stood out to me that Xi didn’t mention reforming the CCP itself. Wang Changjiang highlights thee need for reform by claiming that the CCP needs to create stronger institutions, and that the CCP is operating on obsolete ideas (Lieverthal, Cheng Li, Yu Keping, 92).  In my view, if President XI Jinping wishes to accomplish the goal that has eluded the CCP for decades,  then the CCP itself must be reformed in order to the market economy to function effectively, and for the party to maintain legitimacy. The question remains, will President Jinping reform the party (publicly or privately) or will he continue the status quo?