Global News Podcast What keeps China’s president up at night?
Mar 17, 2024
Celia Hatton, BBC's East Asia editor with 15 years in Beijing, and Rana Mitter, a Harvard professor of US-Asia relations, discuss the pressing concerns of China's president, Xi Jinping. They delve into the increasing opacity of his leadership, the absence of traditional press interactions, and unexpected political dismissals highlighting internal rivalries. The conversation touches on Xi's economic ambitions amidst rising youth unemployment and how memes like Winnie the Pooh reflect the complicated relationship between humor and censorship in China.
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Information Access in China
- It's harder to get information about Chinese politics now than it was 10-15 years ago.
- Factions within the political system have diminished under Xi Jinping's rule.
Xi Jinping's Personal Life
- Xi Jinping's personal life is largely unknown, with few details about his interests or habits.
- He is known to love football, which spurred a football craze across China.
Press Conference Cancellation
- China's Premier's annual press conference, a key source of information, was cancelled until 2027.
- This cancellation reinforces Xi Jinping's central power while limiting public access to information.