Will the new Chinese leaders carry on much the same as their predecessors?

Li Keqiang, the new Chinese Premier

Over the last few days, Beijing has held the annual National Peoples Congress, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) outlined the agenda for the coming year. This years meeting was more unique than previous meetings, as both a new President and Premier, along with other top political posts were officially appointed. Xi Jinping now President and Li Keqiang the new Premier.  

At the end of the week long sitting of the National Congress, the new leaders, both Xi and Li spook on their policies and future direction of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). As expected, economic growth was a top issue emphasized by both leaders’ in their speeches to party members as well as the need to tackle internal corruption, where President Xi urged delegates to reject extravagance and fight corruption.

Apart from domestic issues, foreign policy was also mentioned by both leaders, especially the need to improve relations with the United States (US), with Premier Li, saying that "common interests far outweigh our differences." Although, Li talked about better relations with the US, he did reject the allocations that the Chinese government is behind the cyber attacks against US government agencies and companies. Furthermore, President Xi told the party faithful that the military needs to be in a better position to protect the national sovereignty and security of China.

A new era in leadership for China will unfortunately be much the same as the past; it is the same message over and over again with both President Xi and Premier Li have stated that continued economic growth will be the number one priority for the Communist party, which carries on from former President Hu Jintao’s polices aimed at economic development. So far from what both leaders have mentioned in their first speeches, tackling corruption will also be on the agenda, much like the rhetoric of their predecessors. Only time will tell if there will be much improvement in cracking down on corruption that is wide spread in China.

On the issue of foreign policy, both leaders are indicating that China will carry on an assertive approach to its security and national interest in line with its predecessors. I think China no longer want to be viewed as the dominant force bullying other regional nations, and renewed calling by the new leadership for better relations with the US. 

In my interpretation of what Premier Li said in his speech, that the US and China have more in common than they do have in differences, leads to an intention that China wants to cooperate with the US on regional security and stability, rather then be in conflict with them. 

Once again, only time will tell if this is just rhetoric or whether China really does want to be an active partner within the international community.