With a historic resolution, China's Xi Jinping enhances his country's position.
The Chinese Communist Party issued a "historic resolution" confirming Xi Jinping's status in political history. The document, a recap of the party's 100-year history, examines its main achievements and future directions. It is the 3rd of its kind since its inception - the first being taken over by Mao Zedong in 1945 also the second by Deng Xiaoping in 1981.
It was adopted Thursday at the sixth plenary session, one of China's most critical political gatherings. Since he is the third Chinese head of state to pass such a resolution, the move aims to equate Xi with Mao's party founder and successor, Deng.
Some observers saw in the resolution Xi's recent efforts to reverse the decentralization of Chinese leaders that began under Deng and continued by other leaders such as Jiang Zemin as a sign that China could return to the so-called cult of personality.
More than 370 full members and representatives of the party's 19th Central Committee, the country's supreme leader, attended the four-day closed-door meeting.
It is the last major gathering of party leaders before next year's National Congress, where Si is expected to run of a historic third term as president. In 2018, China lifted its two-year presidency, effectively allowing it to remain in power for life.
Why is resolution important?
"Bypassing a historic resolution that places itself at the heart of the great narrative of the Party and modern China, Mr. Xi is demonstrating his power. But the document is also a tool that will help him maintain that power," he said. Dr. Chong Ja-yang of the National University of Singapore said the recent move set Xi apart from previous Chinese leaders.
"[Former leaders] Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin have never had such consolidated authority as Mr. Xi. "Nowadays, people appreciate Mr. Si. The extent to which it is institutionalized more formally is observed by many.
Both Deng and Mao, who had adopted the previous resolution, used it to decide the past.