China Blasts 'Money Worship', But Puts Xi On A Pedestal

China's ruling Communist Party has slammed the "money worship," "extreme individualism" and corruption that emerged in the four decades since the country opened up, calling for stronger party leadership and moral discipline in a key resolution released, Gabriel Crossley and Kevin Yao reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: A painted portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping

The document strengthens President Xi Jinping's dominance of the party ahead of what is likely to be a precedent-breaking third term to begin next year while enshrining his vision of China's historical trajectory.

The resolution on the party's "achievements and historical experiences" since its founding 100 years ago was passed at the end of a four-day, closed-door Central Committee meeting last week.

It puts Xi on the same pedestal as predecessors Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, whose pre-eminence was cemented by the only other two such resolutions passed, in 1945 and 1981, respectively.

It sketches out an overview of China's history, from the "humiliations" of the late Qing empire to the present day, and hopes of a future "great rejuvenation," emphasizing repeatedly that the Communist Party is the driver of progress.

Communist Parties in other parties have criticized the Xi regime for considering itself as the successor of the corrupt and weak Qing dynasty that did nothing to improve the lives of the Chinese.

Critics, including billionaires who have tagged Xi as a clown, have been arrested, tried, and convicted. His party rivals were also conveniently accused of major crimes, convicted, and imprisoned.

Deng launched reforms in 1978 that transformed China from an impoverished backwater into the world's second-largest economy. His own resolution emphasized the importance of "collective leadership" after the Maoist excesses of the Cultural Revolution.

Xi, however, is seen to have amassed more power than any leader since Mao, and the latest resolution did not emphasize collective leadership.

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