The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

53. The vote was based on a list presented for CC members by
the Politburo. Although it was nonbinding, the people receiving
best votes eventually entered the Politburo. Talk with former vice
president of the Central Party School, Beijing, China, September
2008.
54. In fact, Xi does not belong to any factions. He has for a
long time tried to keep a distance from other so-called princelings
figures, as all these figures do the same. I really doubt whether
there is such a thing as the princelings faction at the top leadership.
In fact, Huang Jing (first husband of Jiang Qing), father of Yu
Zhengsheng and Xi Zhongxun, father of Xi Jingping did not get
along well. And Xi Zhongxun and Bo Yibo, father of Bo Xilai, did
not enjoy good relations in the State Council in the 1960s.
55. Oral sources in Beijing. It has been a long Party tradition
that before such a key appointment is finalized, the candidate
would be approached about his opinion on job choices, although
the Party’s preference is made known to him.
56. Since Huang Ju’s illness, the State Council’s economic
management had been greatly weakened. On several major issues,
such as the duration of oil price hike, of the inflation, of America’s
subprime crisis, the leadership judgment was not sound, which
has adversely affected Hu’s overall management of state affairs.
57. There are cases to suggest otherwise. For instance, he was
the leader in charge of the Beijing Olympic Games, so he maintained
close contacts with the PLA over the security related matters
of Games. On October 26, 2009, Xi received Senior General
Li Wenyong, Director general of the General Political Affairs Department
of the Vietnam armed forces. “Xi Jinping Meets with
Vietnam Delegation,” The PLA Daily, October 27, 2009, p. 1. Normally,
CCP leaders meet with foreign visitors according to their
specific division of labor in the PSC.
58. Oral sources from Beijing, China, July 2009.
59. In comparison, Jiang stressed peaceful means to solve the
Taiwan issue when addressing civilian audiences, but he highlighted
the necessity of the use of force when talking to PLA leaders.
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