[The Epoch Times, April 15, 2022](The Epoch Times features reporter Xu Yiyang and Wang Jiayi interviewed and reported) The “dynamic clearing” policy adhered to by Xi Jinping, the top leader of the Chinese Communist Party, does not seem to be recognized by all members of the Chinese Communist Party. Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council of the Communist Party of China recently held three economic situation analysis meetings in succession, revealing that the Chinese economy is currently facing serious problems due to the lockdown. Experts say this shows that the struggle at the top of the Communist Party is intensifying.
As the epidemic situation in Shanghai, China continues to be severe, General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Communist Party of China visited Hainan Province from April 10 to 13.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China, on April 13, Xi Jinping still adhered to the policy of “dynamic clearing” when he delivered a speech on the epidemic prevention and control.
The CCP’s official media publishes intensive documents in support of “dynamic clearing”
The CCP’s official media recently published intensive documents in support of the “Dynamic Clearance” policy; CCP experts also claimed that this policy is in line with China’s reality.
Xinhuanet published a report on April 12, re-emphasizing that Xi Jinping’s anti-epidemic policy is to “dynamically clear”.
On the same day, Mi Feng, spokesperson of the National Health Commission of the Communist Party of China and deputy director of the Propaganda Department, said at a press conference that the general policy of “dynamic clearing” should be adhered to.
At the press conference, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), claimed that the general policy of the Chinese Communist Party for prevention and control is “dynamic clearing”. the best choice.
On the evening of April 12, Xinhua.com published a commentary, saying that “dynamic clearing” cannot be given up, and that “lying flat” has no way out. Perseverance can lead to victory.
What the CCP refers to here as “lying flat” means that many countries around the world no longer require other epidemic prevention and control measures other than vaccination.
In the evening, Xinhuanet published another article, claiming that Shanghai, as China’s financial and economic center city, suffered only “short-term ‘pain'” in the rebound of the epidemic and would not shake the fundamentals of China’s economy. “Zero” is the bottom line.
The State Council issued a notice to Li Keqiang to hold three economic meetings within a week
Contrary to the propaganda rhetoric of the above-mentioned official media, the State Council of the Communist Party of China and Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council are not in tune with Xi Jinping’s faction.
On April 11, the State Council of the Communist Party of China issued a notice requiring all parts of the country to do a good job in ensuring the smooth flow of freight and logistics, and to ensure the safety and stability of the industrial chain and supply chain. It especially emphasized that it is not allowed to block or close expressways, ordinary roads, and waterway locks without authorization. Set up epidemic prevention checkpoints on highway main lines and service areas.
The notice stated that for those that seriously affect the smooth flow of goods and cause shortages or interruptions in material supply, relevant local governments, units and personnel should be held accountable.
On April 11, Li Keqiang analyzed the economic situation when he inspected Jiangxi Province and said that because of “some unexpected changes and further downward pressure on the economy”, we must pay attention to the impact of the current poor logistics on the economic cycle and maintain the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain. He also said that some industries and enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households, have been seriously affected by the epidemic, and the supply of people’s daily necessities and medical needs have also been affected.
Previously, Li Keqiang hosted a forum for experts and entrepreneurs on April 7. He acknowledged at the meeting that there have been frequent outbreaks of domestic epidemics in China recently, and “some unexpected factors have exceeded expectations, which have brought greater uncertainty and challenges to the smooth operation of the economy”; Facing difficult and stressful situations.
Prior to this, Li Keqiang also stated at the executive meeting of the State Council of the Communist Party of China hosted on April 6 that due to the recent outbreak of epidemics, the difficulties of Chinese market entities have increased significantly, the economic cycle is not smooth, and new downward pressure has further increased.
Expert analysis of Xi and Li’s different tunes
In an interview with The Epoch Times on April 14, Li Yanming, an expert on China issues in the United States and a commentator on current affairs, said that Li Keqiang and Xi Jinping are out of tune, which reflects the complexity of the current situation in China and the infighting of the CCP’s top leaders.
Li Yanming said that the military recently expressed its loyalty to Xi Jinping. The authorities had sent troops to Shanghai, showing that Xi Jinping was fighting back, using the military to control the situation, and showing military power to deter political enemies. .
He believes that the outbreak of the epidemic in Shanghai, China’s economic and financial center, directly endangers Shanghai’s social stability and China’s financial stability. If the CCP authorities continue to implement the zero policy, the economic crisis will continue to intensify, public grievances will also lead to the situation getting out of control, and Xi Jinping’s political opponents will also manipulate and even intensify the economic and social crisis to achieve the goal of anti-Xi.
Hajime Takamine, a Japanese political analyst, also told The Epoch Times that Li Keqiang may want to do something specific from the perspective of the prime minister, but it cannot be achieved under Xi Jinping’s leadership. His actions reflect his dissatisfaction with Xi and current policies.
Although the vast majority of countries in the world have begun to get rid of strict epidemic prevention and control and learn to live with the virus, in China, once a new case appears, the entire population will be required to be tested and quarantined, and entire cities will be locked down , is at a standstill.
There are growing signs that China’s economy is slowing sharply as city lockdowns and surges in cases limit mobility and dampen demand.
Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan’s largest brokerage, said recently that the risk of China’s economic contraction in the second quarter is rising if the lockdown is extended beyond April.
Economists at Nomura estimate that about 373 million people are currently under full or partial lockdown in 45 cities in China, and the economic output of the blocked cities accounts for 40% of China’s total output.
The poor economic outlook and the party’s insistence on a zero-zero policy have weighed on everything from manufacturing to trade, inflation and food prices, prompting some economists to downgrade China’s growth forecast for this year to well below the Chinese government’s forecast. A target of around 5.5%.
The lockdown in Shanghai has once again raised questions about the CCP’s zero policy at a time when the outbreak has rattled many countries and companies over their over-reliance on Chinese supply chains.
Shanghai and its surrounding areas are one of the largest manufacturing centers in China, and the port of Shanghai is a major hub port along China’s coast, carrying 20% of China’s freight.
The closure of Shanghai has caused congestion at the port of Shanghai, the world‘s largest port. Shipowners have been desperately trying to divert their ships to other Chinese ports to avoid a shortage of trucks and warehouse closures in Shanghai.
As of April 11, the number of container ships waiting near Shanghai was up 15 percent from a month earlier, according to Bloomberg shipping data.
Analysts have warned that Shanghai has played an unparalleled role in global trade and that if the blockade persists, it could have serious repercussions for the rest of the world.
Responsible editor: Lian Shuhua#