Story highlights Dropping term limits will allow Xi Jinping to stay on as China's President indefinitely But analysts warn his absolute control could backfire in the instance of a crisis or economic shock Hong Kong (CNN)The announcement Sunday that China will drop term limits on the presidency clears the way for Xi Jinping to rule the country indefinitely. However, analysts warned that what initially seems like a demonstration of absolute power could actually be a sign of weakness, with Xi apparently unwilling to allow the rise of a potential political rival. This could lead to future instability in the world's most populous country as wannabe successors jockey for power within a Communist Party (CCP) completely dominated by the 64-year-old Xi. And his absolute authority will also leave him vulnerable to absolute blame in the instance of an economic shock or foreign policy crisis. The latter could be increasingly likely, as Xi's rule so far has been characterized by a more … [Read more...] about President, or Emperor? Xi Jinping pushes China back to one-man rule
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Trump should not ignore Xi’s power grab in China
Washington (CNN)The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump is not overly concerned by Chinese leader Xi Jinping's recent move to consolidate power by abolishing presidential term limits, but perhaps he should be. Trump's press secretary, Sarah Sanders, told reporters on Monday that the decision is one "for China to make about what's best for their country," but by clearing the way for his own indefinite rule, Xi has presented Trump with a challenge unique to any president since Richard Nixon in the 1970s. Xi's push to abolish term limits means he will likely remain the most influential leader of the emerging superpower for life and have more time to dedicate to his quest to rejuvenate China's influence at the expense of the US. President, or Emperor? Xi Jinping pushes China back to one-man rule Trump now has the dubious honor of being the President in office alongside the most powerful Chinese leader of the modern age, at a time when China has never been … [Read more...] about Trump should not ignore Xi’s power grab in China
Plight of China’s left-behind kids captured in photos
(CNN)For more than three years, photographer Ren Shichen has traveled across China taking portraits of the country's left-behind children -- some of the estimated nine million young kids that are currently growing up without Mom or Dad in China. His goal is to shed light on the psychological costs of China's economic boom -- the ones borne by rural children whose parents have left their villages to work in China's cities, often for years at a time, leaving them in the care of grandparents or other relatives. "Many parents left home when their kids were one or two years old. When they call home now, the children don't pick up. There's no emotional connection any more," says Ren. Concern over the plight of these left-behind children and rural poverty resurfaced last month after Chinese Internet users were touched by "Frost Boy." A photo of third grader Wang Fuman, his hair iced over from his three-mile trek to school, went viral on Chinese social media. The boy in the viral photo … [Read more...] about Plight of China’s left-behind kids captured in photos
CPAC: Frank Gaffney Warns China Waging ‘Unrestricted’ Financial, Cyber War on U.S.
The communist People’s Republic of China has been waging “unrestricted war” against the United States as its top financial and cyber adversary, cautioned national security expert Frank Gaffney during a 2018 CPAC event Friday. Gaffney advised American President Donald Trump to fire his National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and replace him with former U.N. ambassador John Bolton, who he suggested has a better understanding of the threat.During CPAC Friday, Gaffney, the president for the Center for Security Policy (CSP), urged U.S. President Donald Trump to fight back against China’s ongoing war against the United States, which primarily consists of financial tactics to undermine the American economy, compromise essential military tools made in China, and intensify cyberattacks with the help of quantum computing beyond U.S. capabilities that allows them to develop “codes that cannot be broken and easy ability to break ours.” He called on … [Read more...] about CPAC: Frank Gaffney Warns China Waging ‘Unrestricted’ Financial, Cyber War on U.S.
Poyer’s Dan Lenson lands deep within a war with China
David Poyer’s latest thriller, “Hunter Killer,” resumes a story from his novels “Onslaught” (2016) and “Tipping Point” (2015) – that of a world war whose primary naval battleground is in the Central Pacific while also involving worldwide computer, telecommunications and banking systems. Poyer, who lives on the Eastern Shore, again paints a plausible, tense and fast-moving scenario rooted in global issues and informed by his own naval and nautical experience.In this, his 17th novel featuring Capt. Dan Lenson, a malevolent Chinese dictator has allied with Iran, North Korea and Pakistan, and this particular “Axis of Evil” is attempting to humble the U.S. and its allies with an all-out offensive in multiple dimensions. The Philippines, Japan and Taiwan have already surrendered territory and critical military bases, and other allies are wavering. Lenson is given a temporary promotion to rear admiral (lower half) and assigned a … [Read more...] about Poyer’s Dan Lenson lands deep within a war with China