China Politics Weekly – August 4-18, 2015

China Politics Weekly

China Politics Weekly aims to keep business leaders, investors, diplomats, scholars and other China hands up to date on important trends in China. It is produced by Trey McArver, a London-based consultant providing advice and intelligence to firms and investors engaged in China and the region. You can find out more about Trey and CPW in this interview.

Issue No. 64 – August 4, 2015

Out with the old…

Thursday’s Politburo meeting expelled former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Guo Boxiong from the Party. Guo was China’s highest-ranking military officer for almost a decade, and was a close ally of Jiang Zemin. Guo’s ouster would seem to be further proof of Xi’s increasing control of the military and the Party more generally.

…and in with the new

Xi continues to fill vacancies created by the anti-corruption campaign with people loyal to him. He appointed 10 new generals this week. This week also saw the appointment of Chen Min’er as Party Secretary of Guizhou. Chen is known to have been a close associate of Xi during Xi’s time in Zhejiang. Credible rumors also have it that Zhao Kezhi will fill the vacant Party Secretary spot in Hebei. Zhao is said to be connected to Xi’s right hand man Li Zhanshu.

There is a flurry of speculation surrounding possible high-level personnel reshuffles following the Beidaihe meetings, but it’s very difficult to tell which (if any) of these rumors are true. Stay tuned…

PBSC Week in Review
Xi Jinping	July 31	Xi attended a Central Military Commission ceremony promoting 10 PLA and armed police officers to the rank of general.
		Xi sent a letter of appreciation to IOC President Thomas Bach on the selection of Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
	July 30	Xi chaired a Politburo meetingExpelled former military leader Guo Boxing from CCP membership; founded a leading group on “united front work.”
		Xi chaired a Politburo study session.Session reflected on the War of Resistance against Japan.
		Xi and Turkish President Erdogan attended a China-Turkey Business Forum
	July 29	Xi held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Li Keqiang	July 29	Li chaired an executive meeting of the State CouncilThe meeting focused on rebuilding underground facilities, such as water and power supply lines; boosting investment in tourism and consumption; and passed a draft law on domestic violence.
		Li met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
	July 27	Li spoke at a symposium of Science and Technology
Zhang Dejiang	July 29	Zhang met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Yu Zhengsheng	July 28	Yu returned to Beijing
	July 27	Yu met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo
		Yu met with Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly of Indonesia
Liu Yunshan	July 31	Liu attended and spoke at a work conference on “the three stricts and the three earnests”.
Wang Qishan	July 31	Li chaired symposiums to solicit opinions regarding revision of the CCP’s code of ethics and punishment ordinances.
Zhang Gaoli

 

 

Issue No. 65 – August 18, 2015

PBSC Week in Review
Xi Jinping	August 16	Xi attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 15	Xi issued instructions on improving work safety in response to the Tianjin warehouse explosion.
	August 13	Xi appointed seven new ambassadors.
	August 13	Xi urges all-out efforts to save those affected by Tianjin blast.
	August 12	Xi calls for all-out rescue efforts for landslide in Shaanxi Province.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
Li Keqiang	August 16	Li went to Tianjin to visit the site of the Tianjin warehouse explosion.
		Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
Zhang Dejiang	August 17	Zhang presided over an NPC Standing Committee chairmen’s meeting.Next NPC Standing Committee session will be held August 24-29.
	August 16	Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
Yu Zhengsheng	August 16	Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
Liu Yunshan	August 16	Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
	August 5	Visited scientists and experts on a state-sponsored vacation at Beidaihe.
Wang Qishan	August 17	Wang attended and spoke at a televised conference on learning and implementing the newly revised discipline inspection regulations.
	August 16	Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.
Zhang Gaoli	August 16	Attended the cremation ceremony for Wei Jianxing.
	August 6	Attended the cremation of Zhang Jinfu.