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> Xi is well aware of the need for financial, institutional, and economic liberalization I am not sure about this. Since 2008 the Party seems to be panicking b

> Xi is well aware of the need for financial, institutional, and economic liberalization I am not sure about this. Since 2008 the Party seems to be panicking by increasing social unrest on ethnic/religious issues (Tibet/Xinjiang), on autonomy ( Hong Kong ) and, in thousands of villages and cities, on corruption, land rights and environmental issues. But I do concede that he has been effective in important issues (e.g.: healthcare and pensions). China history is marked by 30-40 years of calm and tranquility that suddenly erupt in tragic conflict (Taiping Rebellion, Republic, Communist Revolution, Great Leap Forward & Cultural Revolution, ...) By that pattern some big instability is overdue by now. Let's just hope it doesn't happen.

smallnamespace 10y ago
The argument for liberalization is that it's the only way to continue to grow the economy, and the Communist's Party's current legitimacy rests on lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in the last few decades. Having won a revolution only some 70 years before, Party leaders are well aware that power taken with consent of the people can certainly be taken away again [1][2]. [1] http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1133212/tocquevilles-advice-french-revolution-captures-chinese-leaders-attention http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1133212/tocquevilles-... [2] http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Communist-Party-s-recommended-books-show-China-s-leadership-concerns http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Comm...