Xi Jinping‘s Embrace of a Controversial Predecessor: A Strategic Move?
[Image of Henry Kissinger and hu Yaobang sipping tea in Beijing, 1985. Caption: Former United States secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang share tea in Beijing, November 10, 1985.]
Recent commemorations of former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Hu Yaobang have raised eyebrows. Current President Xi Jinping publicly lauded Hu, a figure associated with both economic reform and political upheaval. This seemingly paradoxical move signals a complex strategy, potentially aimed at bolstering Xi’s own position amidst growing economic headwinds and internal political dynamics. But what’s driving this shift, and what does it mean for China’s future?
A Legacy of Reform and risk
Hu Yaobang’s career was marked by both progress and controversy. He spearheaded efforts to rehabilitate millions wrongly purged during Mao Zedong’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). However, he was ultimately forced to resign in 1987 following accusations of being too lenient towards student protests. He remained a Politburo member until his death.
Xi’s public praise of Hu isn’t entirely new. He offered similar tributes in 2015.However, the context is vastly different now. Xi has as consolidated power, cultivating a “strongman” image.The contrast between the two leaders is therefore much more pronounced.
Experts note the inherent risk in celebrating Hu. “By celebrating [Hu Yaobang’s] birthday, there’s a risk of making people think about 1989, which is fully forbidden,” explains Chen Jian, Director of the Centre on Global History, Economy, and culture at New York University-shanghai and East China Normal University. Furthermore, praising Hu’s role in correcting the Cultural Revolution’s mistakes is itself unusual, given the CCP’s carefully curated historical narrative.
Why Now? Harnessing a Pragmatic Image
So, why is Xi Jinping elevating Hu Yaobang’s profile? Several factors appear to be at play.
* Economic Concerns: China’s economy is slowing, facing challenges like important youth unemployment and declining consumer confidence. Xi may be attempting to align himself with hu’s reputation as a pragmatist focused on improving people’s livelihoods.
* Bolstering Legitimacy: As Dr. Ashley Esarey Cheek suggests, Xi could be “borrowing Hu Yaobang’s good reputation to signal that the Party is paying attention to the economy, and to buttress his own claim to have the moral high ground.”
* Appealing to a Disaffected Middle Class: Many Chinese citizens who benefited from hu’s earlier reforms are now feeling the pinch of economic stagnation. They represent a key demographic, and Xi may be attempting to regain their support. “Today in China the people who feel their life is hitting countercurrents are the people who gained the most from the reform and opening project,” says Dr. chen.
* Internal Political Positioning: Xi’s move could also be a strategic maneuver within the CCP’s elite. The commemoration event included many offspring of the revolutionary generation – the “princelings” – and Xi, himself a “princeling” (son of Xi zhongxun), might potentially be seeking to consolidate his support within this influential group.
* Personal Debt: some experts suggest a personal element. Hu Yaobang played a role in the rehabilitation of Xi Jinping’s father, who had been purged during the Cultural Revolution. Xi may feel a sense of obligation.”It’s entirely possible that Xi himself feels a certain debt on behalf of his father toward Hu,” notes Carl Minzner, senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
A Calculated Gamble?
Ultimately, Xi Jinping’s embrace of Hu Yaobang appears to be a calculated gamble. He’s attempting to leverage a complex legacy to address current challenges and strengthen his position. Whether this strategy will succeed remains to be seen.
However, it’s clear that this isn’t simply a historical commemoration. It’s a purposeful political act with potentially far-reaching consequences for China’s future trajectory. You can expect continued scrutiny of this evolving dynamic as Xi Jinping navigates a period of economic uncertainty and internal political maneuvering
Related reading