Hard time for reform

Xi is aware of what obstacles he faces in pushing through his military reform plans. “Difficulties can be solved when there is action, or else easy things can’t be done,” Xi once said at a meeting, quoting Peng Duanshu (1699-1779), a late official in Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Military reform is part of the reform package, a 60-item resolution, released after the Third Plenary Session of 18th CPC Central Committee, which convened in Beijing last November. The reforms will transform society, economy, politics and culture. Born into a politically influential family, Xi has climbed the career ladder from bottom to top, preparing himself well by knowing all walks of life. Speaking of the new reforms, he said, “finished are the easier tasks that draw proponents, while left are the hot potatoes that draw opponents.”

Xi is governing a country which has already risen to be the world’s second-largest economy, but whose further development is impaired by its lagging social welfare and old-fashioned governance philosophies. Faced with this lopsided development, on taking office Xi started to promote the Chinese Dream, a term that encapsulates a set of ideals, including a moderately prosperous society and national rejuvenation. For Xi, building a modern China does not mean replicating Western social norms, rather it means introducing the core socialist values of justice, fairness, democracy and freedom into society.

As Xi has pointed out, China’s social problems are intertwined with one another and therefore reforms in different areas need to be carried out at the same time. China has been following the roadmap that was produced at the Third Plenum, with policy changes in family planning, urbanization, labor camps and administrative streamlining. Judicial, cultural and fiscal reforms are on the way. Military reform, which is seldom conducted in public, is also under way. Xi is also trying to establish new governance philosophies. But with various areas demanding reform measures, Xi has tough decisions to make in order to mediate between different interest groups.

Xi has headed the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms and National Security Commission since the 18th CPC National Congress, to name just a few of 10 commissions Xi heads. Historian Xiao Gongqin has said that the strong leadership Xi represents will establish a golden era.

The contrary view argues Xi developed a deep understanding of the harm of an out-of-order society and idolization through his experiences during the "cultural revolution "(1966-1976) and in rural areas.

For Xi himself, regulations and laws are not only words written on papers, they must also be put into action.

Xi, a holder of PhD in law, is seeking a route to modernization through law. The upcoming Fourth Plenary of the 18th CPC National Congress is also sending such a signal, as the conference’s theme is expected to be the rule of law.

Prior to Xi becoming president, analysts said China needed a nimble and strong leader, able to deal with the problems and challenges that had arisen in the process of social transformation.

While it seems that Xi has such talent.

At the beginning of Xi’s presidency, he said that a new round of reform and open-up was the key to China’s future destiny. This was not just empty words. The Western media while agreeing with his words had little faith in his ability to push them through.

One year later, international media outlets have been making positive comments on Xi’s leadership, using phrases such as “the man who will change China” and “Xi will become the first truly global leader”.

Heroes make history, and history makes heroes. Xi launched a massive anti-corruption campaign to clean up the Party, sending the message he is a courageous and powerful leader. An online article saying “Xi has earned reverence of thousands of millions of Chinese people” has been creating a buzz online; this reverence toward their leader is distinct from idolization. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, has praised Xi as a man of “great breadth” and put him in “the Nelson Mandela class of persons”. Such compliments may seem premature, but China watchers have acknowledged that Xi’s ambitious inaugural declaration sounds more like a statesman’s plan than a political stunt.

“China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world,” said Napoleon Bonaparte. Nearly 200 years, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced “the sleeping lion has woken up” on French soil.

Xi made the remark when addressing a meeting in Paris in March to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with France. Now Xi is gearing up for the awakened lion’s next move. It’s Xi’s moment to make history now.