Following the A4 Revolution protests across China, Xi Jinping unexpectedly announced changes to the PRC’s Zero-COVID policy. What is behind this policy change? Is China really preparing to live with COVID and face a possible wave of infections? After Xi Jinping successfully secured his third term and Jiang Zemin’s passing, the CCP’s Shanghai faction has been losing ground as Xi continues to dominate domestic and military matters.
In this episode, Wu’er Kaixi, once a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement, who is now General Secretary of the Taiwan Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, talks about China’s loosening restrictions. He says Xi’s immediate priority is to consolidate power before focusing on external challenges such as U.S. chip sanctions. We also hear from Raymond Sung, international legal expert and Taiwan New Constitution Foundation Deputy CEO and another 1989 Tiananmen student leader Wang Dan, who is currently Director of the think tank, Dialogue China. Both experts share with us the implications of the Xi Jinping’s policies around total control and the future of the A4 Revolution.
Topics discussed:
- Ten Measures to relax Zero-COVID
- Whereabouts of the A4 Revolution and is the CCP willing to compromise to address domestic discontent?
- Is China prepared to coexist with COVID in the absence of a credible vaccine and how will the Chinese government handle another massive outbreak?
- What is the most serious challenge to Xi Jinping’s third term?
- With the death of Jiang Zemin and the weakening of the CCP’s Shanghai faction, has Xi Jinping further consolidated power within the party?
- With growing unrest within China, could Xi Jinping use Taiwan as a scapegoat to divert domestic discontent and start an invasion?
- What is behind Xi Jinping’s global campaign to court traditional U.S. allies, e.g., recent trip to Saudi Arabia and the signing of over 20 agreements with Middle Eastern countries
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