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President Xi Jinping should stay away from hegemonism

Posted October. 19, 2017 07:57,   

Updated October. 19, 2017 08:32

한국어

The 19th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China kicked off in Beijing on Wednesday. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping emphasized to "remain true to our original aspiration and keep out mission firmly in mind, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation." This reconfirmed his great dream to build China into a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2021, when the Chinese ruling party marks its centennial and to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by 2049, when the People's Republic of China marks its centennial.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who named his guiding ideology as “socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era,” will tighten his grip on power through the party congress. The Chinese media sees that Xi Jinping may change the status of the party leader from the General Secretary, which exercises only one vote per person, to the status of chairman, which has the right to veto. "The 19th Party Congress is more likely to look like a coronation," eval‎uated The New York Times.

Regarding diplomatic security policy, Xi stated, "China's international influence has improved greatly and made conspicuous contributions to the development of world peace." He also emphasized that he will secure both development and safety at the same time. It is interpreted that Xi will exercise his clout over neighboring countries and reinforce his diplomatic security policy of managing international environment for the development and safety of China.

President Xi claimed that his guiding ideology inherited and developed that of Deng Xiaoping. However, China’s pressure against neighboring countries and fight over hegemony with the United States under the name of a “new type of major power relationship” clearly goes against the teachings of Deng Xiaoping, who was cautious about hegemonism, not to take lead as a leader. The THADD retaliation, which has been continuing since July 2016, can also be regarded as a part of hegemonism that aims a new type of major power. If China really wants to become a major power, it should keep in mind that the nation has to secure many neighboring allies.

China has not been focusing on solving the fundamental problem regarding North Korea's nuclear issues as well. It has adhered to the position that China's national interest is in accordance with the status quo of North Korea. However, North Korea is on the verge of completing nuclear weapons and actually fielding them. Managing and controlling a nuclear-armed North Korea will be impossible for the United States and South Korea, and China is not an exception.

Xi will meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting China, and discuss North Korea's nuclear issues immediately after the party congress is closed. The Chinese president needs to free himself from the influence of the military or conservative authorities and make a bold decision. He has to break away from China’s traditional stance of covering up North Korea and establish a diplomatic policy that suits the current condition of the Korean Peninsula. Defending the North’s nuclear development, which is opposed by the entire world, will not only disgrace China's heightened status in the international society but also go against the economic interests of China.