Pekingology How Firms Serve the Party-State
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Oct 30, 2025 Ning Leng, an expert in Chinese political economy and author of "Politicizing Business," dives into the intricate dance between business and politics in China. She explains how the state embeds itself in firms, impacting everything from employment to waste management. Ning discusses the vagueness of political demands, the recurring punishments firms face, and the peculiar case of a stunning wastewater plant that became a source of protests. She warns that politicization can undermine investment confidence and sustainability, raising critical questions about the future of China's economy.
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Business As Part Of The Political System
- The party state never gave Chinese business true political autonomy despite economic liberalization since 1978.
- Firms are treated as parts of the political system and expected to serve state goals.
Historic Patterns Of Crackdowns
- Political crackdowns on private entrepreneurs predate Xi and took different forms across eras, including arrests and sector-wide actions.
- Legitimization in 1992 reduced arrests but left space for periodic local or national sectoral crackdowns.
Pandemic Fueled New Political Demands
- Post-COVID demands increased politicization, with firms pressed to expand employment and donate to campaigns like poverty alleviation.
- Politicization intensifies when the state lacks funds and needs private-sector contributions.
