Xi Jinping's Position is Secure but Growing Gloom Will Have Impact

China today is no democracy, or even oligarchy. Since the days of Mao Zedong, control has been maintained by what the late chairman famously described as "the gun" (the military), "the pen" (propaganda) and "the knife" (the internal security apparatus).

Xi has ruthlessly seized and consolidated full control over all three in China's Leninist one-party state. He has lined up his most loyal acolytes to run each of the three levers of power for the foreseeable future. He no longer faces any serious mortal threat of dissent, either from the public or within the party.

This does not mean Xi faces no internal resistance, has made no enemies or will not face any political challenges at the 20th Party Congress. Resistance exists -- just not as any kind of foundational threat to Xi or the CCP.

Read the full article via Nikkei Asia here.