Xi Jinping’s Legacy Play: What He Wants from the Past
This text discusses Hu Yaobang, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and recent praise from current leader Xi Jinping.Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* Hu Yaobang’s Legacy: he was a reformer who championed economic liberalization, government accountability, separation of party and state, and political openness. he was known for being approachable and engaging in open dialog with foreigners. He also worked to rehabilitate those wrongly persecuted during the Cultural Revolution.
* Hu’s fall from Grace: He was forced to resign in 1987 due to accusations of being too lenient with student protestors, but remained in a position of power until his death.
* Xi Jinping’s Recent Praise: Xi Jinping publicly honored Hu Yaobang, which is surprising given Hu’s association with sensitive events like the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the Cultural Revolution. This praise is more notable now, as Xi has cultivated a “strongman” image, making the contrast with the more open Hu more striking.
* The Risk of the Praise: Experts like Chen Jian beleive Xi’s praise is unusual and potentially risky, as it could remind people of the 1989 protests – a topic heavily censored in China.
* Hu’s Role in Correcting Past Wrongs: Hu Yaobang played a key role in restoring the rights of those wrongly accused during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution.
In essence,the article highlights a potentially notable and somewhat paradoxical move by Xi Jinping,praising a leader whose legacy is intertwined with events the current government often seeks to suppress.