'Xi breaks with key lessons from the Cultural Revolution'

Sinologist Daniel Leese analyzes the recently concluded 20th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and Xi's speech for China.Table. His verdict: More than ever, China's strongman propagates the idea of a leader's party that must fight institutional weaknesses with an iron fist. The cult of personality, believed to have been overcome, is now seen as crucial to the fulfillment of Xi's "historic mandate": The resurgence of the nation.

Last updated: 24. July 2025