Reflections on the 20th Party Congress and the Future of Chinese Politics

This roundtable will bring together a group of leading China experts to reflect on the recent 20th Party Congress and its implications for the future of Chinese politics. Securing an unprecedented third term, President Xi Jinping has consolidated his grip on power, while signaling a growing emphasis on security, a shift away from market-oriented reforms, and a more adversarial approach to foreign relations. Yet there have also been growing undercurrents of popular discontent, amid China’s zero-Covid policy, heavy-handed lockdowns, and slowing economic growth. Does the 20th Party Congress mark a tipping point? How do we understand these changes, and what can we expect next from China’s domestic and foreign policy? Join our group of experts for a lively discussion of the current state of Chinese politics and its evolving role in the world.

Moderator: Prof. Kristen Hopewell, University of British Columbia

Speakers:
Prof. Manfred Elfstrom, University of British Columbia
Prof. Diana Fu, University of Toronto
Prof. Mary Gallagher, University of Michigan
Prof. Ho-fung Hung, Johns Hopkins University