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In this week's newsletter we focus on relevant party jargon following the 19th Party Congress, a new book from AMS member Ian Easton, a suyu delivered by Xi Jinping at the site of the first Party Congress, a NCUSCR job opportunity, and an analytical video on the leadership of Xi Jinping.
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Weekly Readings
The 19th Party Congress has concluded; the new leadership has been announced. There are many questions that can be raised about the institutionalization of Chinese politics or the political power of Xi Jinping. The two Chinese-language articles for this week deserve close attention, because they shed light on how Xi intends to run the party. The first concerns the run-up to the party congress and how the party got there. Of particular note, it looks as though Xi pe
rsonally interviewed more than 50 officials seeking positions on the Central Committee and the Politburo. The second provides a readout on the first Politburo meeting of the 19th Central Committee, and readers should pay close to attention to which party political jargon or tifa are included (or not).
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俗语 in Xi Jinping's Speeches
耐人寻味
nài rén xún wèi
Meaning: food for thought; to be intriguing
On October 31, a number of the new Party leadership, led by Chairman Xi, took a highly symbolic trip from Beijing to Shanghai and Jiaxing, stopping by the sites of the first Party Congress (first in Shanghai then moved to Nanhu in Jiaxing). Xi made important remarks on the history of the Party and the need to keep the Party young and vigorous. He used this chengyu to explain that there is much to be learned from these historical "red sites."
Original:
习近平指出，建党时的每件文物都十分珍贵、每个情景都耐人寻味，我们要经常回忆、深入思索，从中解读我们党的初心。
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The National Committee on United States-China Relations, one of the oldest and most influential organizations in this space, is looking for someone to fill their Program Officer/Senior Program Officer Position. Qualified AMS members would be crazy not to apply! Details regarding this position can be found
here
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With the new leadership announced, we fina
lly h
ave a real indicator of Xi Jinping's
power and his influence among his colleagues. Xi placed his policies in the party's charter and stacked the Politburo. This week's video is a conversation with American-Chinese and Singaporean analysts about China's role in the world under Xi Jinping.
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AMS member Ian Easton has published a new book,
The Chinese Invasion Threat, that has received a great deal of attention, much of it unfortunately due to sensational headlines and not on the detailed substance. While the topic may be controversial in some circles, here is what two experts had to say about it:
"Ian Easton has done an enormous amount of research in both Chinese and Taiwanese sources about a potential military conflict across the Taiwan Strait...I found myself interested in his citations and often challenged by his assertions. Whether you agree with his conclusions or not, it is worth reading this serious examination of the reality of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan." - Admiral Dennis Blair (USN, ret.), former Director of National Intelligence and Commander of U.S. Pacific Command
"This book is a "Must Read" for China watchers and Asia strategists alike. Ian Easton's impressive research analyzes one of the most dangerous flashpoints in Asia...It makes a powerful case for deterrence and for changes in U.S. and Taiwan force posture to deal with this looming contingency." - Dr. Evan Medeiros, former National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs
It may not be for everyone, but for those focused on security it is an important new contribution. It is available now on Amazon:
Congrats, Ian!
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