Today: 8 October 2025
12 May 2021
2 mins read

Xi’s chances of securing third term under doubts

The G7 last week called on Xi on everything from actions on Taiwan, incursions in cyberspace, human-rights abuses, fallout from its Belt and Road Initiative…reports Asian Lite News

As Chinese President Xi Jinping’s hard-line policies beyond Chinese shores are squandering Beijing’s soft power, doubts are emerging over Xi securing an unprecedented third term.

The G7 last week called on Xi on everything from actions on Taiwan, incursions in cyberspace, human-rights abuses, fallout from its Belt and Road Initiative. The same week, Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong received another 10-months in jail for his role in 2019 anti-government protests, writes William Pesek for Nikkei Asia.

At the same time, he suspended a ministerial economic dialogue with Canberra, with his government hitting Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s for a “Cold War mindset” and “ideological discrimination”.

Xi Jinping

Pesek wrote that China’s inner circle is miffed about Morrison’s questions, which everyone should be asking – on COVID-19 and its demands for a seat on the G7 table despite being irresponsible for the pandemic.

Much of South Asia avoids getting at Xi’s bad side. After South Korea welcomed a US-designed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, missile-defense system, Chinese tourism flows to Seoul disappeared.

ALSO READ:China alarmed after Myanmar protestors attacked strategic pipeline station

Xi had a once-in-lifetime opportunity to grow Beijing’s soft power at America’s expense amid trade wars between then US President Donald Trump. However, he blew it and China’s international image in international polls has lost ground since 2018.

As the COVID-19 ravaged the world, Xi’s belligerence deserves considerable blame – with Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Galwan border clash with India, Canada and more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping

Meanwhile, current US President Joe Biden is pivoting the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue against China, much to Xi’s chagrin, with additional resistance from China.

Pesek for Nikkei Asia wrote that despite the common view that the Chinese President does not care what the world thinks, press freedom in China is racing in the wrong direction and Xi himself seems to fear Google and Facebook.

These actions signal insecurity and a dearth of savvy that a leading power needs to exploit at the moment and thus not a great report card a year out from Xi’s plan to secure yet another term. (ANI)

ALSO READ:5 years before pandemic, China probed weaponising coronaviruses
Previous Story

Pakistan facing acute shortage of nurses

Next Story

Jerusalem: A Flashpoint For Conflict Or Microcosm Of Peace

Latest from -Top News

India, Qatar Strengthen Trade Ties

Goyal expressed optimism about the growing economic engagement between the two countries, stating, “Glad to meet Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China’s Covid situation continues to worsen

China mainland on Thursday reported 2,388 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases,

Pak, China to unlock full potential of Gwadar port

Pakistani and Chinese officials held meetings of the two Joint