Will The Chinese People Turn On The Communist Party?

Image: China's President Xi Jinping (C) attends the bilateral meeting with President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 31 August 2018. Roman Pilipey/Pool via Reuters

Wang Xiangwei, SCMP: Coronavirus: what Xi fears most is Chinese turning on the Communist Party

* It’s not just lives, health and the economy that are threatened by the deadly disease.
* China’s authoritarian centralised system of rule is, too

Back on January 21 last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping told a gathering of senior officials that they must be on guard against “black swans” and “grey rhinos” which could threaten the rule of the Communist Party
amid a slowing economy.

At that time, Xi’s use of animal metaphors sparked discussions among observers who generally interpreted his warnings as being related to different kinds of economic risks. “Black swans” are events that cannot be predicted but have a profound impact on markets, while “grey rhinos” are known risks that have the potential to cause great harm but which people choose to ignore.

One year later, Xi’s wildlife metaphors about the dangers facing the country have proved prophetic on a more literal level.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese Communist Party and the centralization of rule from Beijing has always had a tenuous relationship with the Chinese people. This outbreak, if not under control in the coming months, is going to test that relationship. But as much as Xi about the Chinese turning against the Communist Party, an even bigger concern for him is if the Communist Party turns against him.

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