The Wilson Center

(Above: After Xi and Obama’s meeting in June 2013, this meme image quickly became the most popular photo on Weibo, China’s largest social network)

Wilson Center Scholar Zheng Wang notes that Xi Jinping has “created a heated discussion in China and abroad over his use of the phrase ‘Chinese Dream.’”

Why does this matter? According to Zheng, the “Chinese Dream is essential for understanding how a 'rising’ China views itself… failure to understand its meaning will thus heighten the chances for misunderstanding, with potentially devastating consequences.”

Much of the Western world tends to talk of China’s “rise,” while China refers to their “rejuvenation.” The difference is telling, writes Zheng:

the Chinese view their fortunes as a return to greatness and not a rise from nothing. In fact, rejuvenation is deeply rooted in Chinese history and the national experience, especially with regards to the so-called “century of national humiliation” that began with the First Opium War (1839–1842) and lasted through the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1945. China’s memory of this period as a time when it was attacked, bullied, and torn asunder by imperialists serves as the foundation for its modern identity and purpose. ….

As proud citizens of the “Middle Kingdom” the Chinese feel a strong sense of chosenness and are extremely proud of their ancient and modern achievements. This pride is tempered, however, by the lasting trauma seared into the national conscious as a result of the country’s humiliating experiences at the hands of Western and Japanese imperialism. After suffering a humiliating decline in national strength and status, the Chinese people are unwavering in their commitment to return China to its natural state of glory, thereby achieving the Chinese Dream.

What are the barriers to that societal “Chinese Dream”? A big one, according to Junhua Wu, is bureaucratic capitalism. 

How to remedy this? Kiyoki Seguchi proposes an anti-corruption campaign.

Yet the struggle for Xi is to eliminate the “bureaucratic capitalism” and “crony capitalism” that prevents widely-distributed economic growth while maintaining the control of the Communist Party in China.

Right now, says Junhua Wu, there are “5 Nos” and “7 Don'ts” that the leadership of the Party embraces to maintain their control:

5 Nos

1. No Multi-Party System
2. No alteration of ideology
3. No separation of powers & bicameral system
4. No federal system
5. No privatization

7 Don'ts

1. Don’t talk about universal values
2. Don’t talk about freedom of press
3. Don’t talk about civil society
4. Don’t talk about civil rights
5. Don’t talk about mistakes in the Party history
6. Don’t talk about crony capitalism
7. Don’t talk about judicial independence

Yet, Junhua Wu also notes that there are 3 pillars that help China’s Communist Party survive into the future:

1. Enhancing ideological control
2. Chasing the “Chinese Dream” (thus embracing the nationalist sentiment)
3. Cracking down on corruptions

Though Xi has been at China’s helm for less than a year, the task he’s faced with is mammoth: to achieve the “Chinese Dream” may require significant reform of the Party and government – yet that reform may imperil Xi as leader.