China’s Third Plenum: Vague Economic Plans and High-Level Removals Draw Criticism

China's Third Plenum: Vague Economic Plans and High-Level Removals Draw Criticism(Image: Reuters)

VoM News Desk | July 19, 2024 | 11:03 PM IST | China, World | Follow on Google News

China’s Third Plenum: Vague Economic Plans and High-Level Removals Draw Criticism

China’s Third Plenum: Vague Economic Plans and High-Level Removals Draw Criticism

Key Highlights:

1. Lack of Specific Economic Measures: Experts criticize the Third Plenum’s economic plan for its vagueness and philosophical rhetoric.
2. Leadership Changes: Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and other top military officials were removed from the Central Committee.
3. Online Censorship: Limited substantial discussion on Chinese social media about the Plenum’s outcomes due to state control.

China recently concluded the Third Plenum of its 20th Central Committee with a communique that outlines a vague plan for the country’s economy, lacking specific measures to address its current economic issues, according to Voice of America (VOA). Experts have expressed disappointment with the results, noting that the plan primarily extols the achievements of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while criticizing previous leaders without offering measurable definitions or concrete macroeconomic adjustments.

Shi He-ling, an Associate Professor of Economics at Monash University in Australia, described the plan as a “philosophical article” filled with clichés rather than practical solutions. Similarly, Yeh Yao-Yuan, Chairman of the Department of Political Science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, noted that under “Xi Thoughts,” the communique fails to present innovative economic strategies. He argued that the CCP’s emphasis on the “socialist market economic system” would not reverse China’s economic decline, suggesting that Xi’s reforms are reverting to older methods.

Despite the CCP statement receiving 100 million views on Weibo, China’s social media platform, substantial discussion was noticeably absent. Another notable outcome of the Plenum was the removal of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, along with Li Yuchao and Sun Jinming of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Rocket Force, from the Central Committee.

Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, commented that Beijing discourages online debates about CCP high-level personnel decisions. Such discussions could challenge the party’s authority and decision-making, especially given Qin Gang’s previous role as Xi Jinping’s close confidant and foreign minister.

VoM News Desk

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