Well. it finally came, the 19th Party Congress, and it went just like everyone said it would. The Xi era has formally begun.
The Party Constitution is becoming an alluvial buildup of archaeological layers, with MZDong Thought at the base and DXPing Theory on top of it. The seasons changed and the JZMin era gave us the addition of the perplexing Three Represents. Nobody knew then what they are, and certainly nobody knows now, but they’re still there. History can be denied and changed, but this little bit is sticking. Then came the rather bland Scientific Outlook Development layered on top during the HJTao era, which in our view ended in 2008.
And now we have a new addition – “Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” It’s clumsy and more than a mouthful, but usefully vague. With the addition of the name of the anointed leader in front of it, it is going to dominate the China world for some time to come. Years. How to sum up what we know so far? It’s a doubling-down and a challenge. Steve Bannon is an appalling individual but he’s no fool, and if anyone in US power circles got it right in the leadup, it was him. In terms of foreign business, the bits to watch are Made in China 2025 and the strengthening of the SOEs. Life is not going to get easier for foreign firms in China. There’s more to come, so keep your antennae tuned. And enjoy the weather. Why not?