On October 16, 2022, Xi Jinping commenced the 20 th Party Congress of the Chinese
Communist Party, and was selected for an unprecedented 3 rd term as General Secretary. In his keynote address, Xi echoed a well-worn theme from his first two terms, and pledged to “advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.” However, even as Xi lauded China’s national progress during his leadership, China faced numerous challenges including the socioeconomic and political impacts of the Zero-COVID policy and the protests against it, the complicated geopolitics of the war in Ukraine, ongoing strategic competition with the United States, and accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and elsewhere. Throughout Xi’s leadership, observers have noted that such nationalist rhetoric is central to his style of governance, formulation of policy, and claims to ruling legitimacy. Given this, how might we expect nationalism to shape and influence China’s response to these numerous challenges? Our panel will discuss the ways that nationalism informs analysis of politics in China as Xi extends his term in power and continues to consolidate control.

 

 

Ting Luo (Manchester Metropolitan U, UK)
Michael R. Masterson (Missouri State U, US)
Tao Wang (U of Manchester, UK)