The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began its most important meeting of the year on Monday, the 8th of November 2021, which will set President Xi Jinping’s historic vision in stone. The Beijing strongman has been in power for nine years and in a year’s time will seek a third term as head of the CCP — further cementing his stature as the country’s most powerful leader since the Communist regime’s founder, Mao Tse-tung, ruled from 1949 to 1976. Why this resolution? According to Joel Ruet, President of The Bridge Tank, who spoke on this matter on French television channel France 24, it could be a sign of economic difficulties the regime faces.

Watch his intervention (in French) here.