A common theme is that Xi seems to be veering in the direction of the policies of Chairman Mao. Examples: an emphasis on "self-criticism," a reassertion of CCP power over the economy and Xi's drive for a third term in office, something several predecessors avoided. This last move prompts the following observation by a national security official:
China had solved the major problem of a one-party state — succession. Now they are un-solving it.
Following the old adage that it's an ill wind that favors no one, the consensus is that what is good for Xi's power is bad for China's economy. And that, in turn, can be good for the U.S. economy. Here is Mirengoff's conclusion:
Xi’s mini-Maosim is terrible news for China. It may also be terrible news for Taiwan, and therefore a major threat to peace.
However, if the U.S. is able to avoid war, Xi may end up doing for America what America arguably is incapable of doing for itself — keeping us ahead of China in the economic pecking order.
I'd like to think we're entitled to a little luck here, but we sure haven't done much to earn it.
