Posted on 03/16/2022 7:30:27 PM PDT by FarCenter
For around a week in February, China's top leadership disappeared from the news cycle.
As Chinese people basked in their Winter Olympic teams' nine gold medal performances, the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee were considering every angle of the then simmering Ukrainian situation and discussing how Beijing might respond.
They understood how the issue could affect their country, if they played it wrong.
The marathon discussions concluded, but the arguments continued as Russian President Vladimir Putin kept ratcheting up tensions.
Naturally, what was said is confidential and will never be disclosed. But there are whispers about the atmosphere of the discussions, and they are noteworthy.
"Collective leadership may be making a comeback due to the Ukraine issue," a Chinese source said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping displayed a united front in Beijing on Feb. 4. © Reuters Since becoming China's top leader in 2012, Xi Jinping has been gradually dismantling a collective leadership system that was put in place by former leader Deng Xiaoping to prevent another one-man rule like under Mao Zedong.
It is safe to assume that a diversity of opinion remains among China's top leaders over Ukraine. It is even likely that some standing committee members are questioning whether it is wise to stick to the current position of siding with Putin.
One such signal was a comment made by U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun during the General Assembly's emergency session that opened Monday to deal with Ukraine.
"The situation has evolved to a point which China does not wish to see," Zhang told the session. "It is not in the interest of any party."
His remarks went further than the official government line, albeit only slightly. He was likely reflecting objections within the top echelons of China's communist regime.
(Excerpt) Read more at asia.nikkei.com ...
Look what it has done to America’s demented “leaders”. I’m still waiting for news that Flounder Vindman and his twin will be going to their home in the Ukraine to fight off the Russkis.
.
It is a stretch to claim that this will undermine Xi’s absolute power. In China, when some trouble occurs, various opinions critical to Chinese regime surface only to disappear soon. It would be the same pattern. There could be some disagreements and contention among top leadership but they will subside soon. No real damage to Xi. That is, pinning blame on Xi and removing him from power won’t happen.
China is operating no differently, than it did for thousands of years with Emperors and Warlords.
They just have better technology today.
Look to history, what will the Chinese do?
The same thing they always have.
Russians( Slavs) are the same.
The wild card is the USA. Nobody knows where we
will go.
We aren’t locked into a tribalism culture.
I can’t predict it.
I think, I’ll cook some popcorn.
China’s strategy on all this is to keep its head down. Say nice things to Russia, but not do anything to help.
That makes sense. China is doing pretty well from the current international order. Unlike Russia they have no desire to overthrow the apple cart.
ChiCom bump for later...
Russia is not a major concern but American perception is. It is about how much adjustment is needed not to provoke U.S. without conceding much.
True, China’s 10 trillion of GDP desperately depends on the US and EU’s 40 trillion of GDP. China is not going to piss off it’s 2 biggest customers for some punk fellow criminal regime at 2 trillion.
Collectively, Chinese Politicians are irritated and worried that Putin’s Folly may have ruined their decades long planned recovery of their unlawfully separitist island province and “protection” and rescuing of Chinese citizens from oppression.
The West was conditioned to nod in acceptance as the inevitable action would not be challenged in the same way Hong Kong’s citizens were Liberated from the wicked forces of western gangsters and independent thinking. No,the West signalled that they are more interested in iPhones, cheap electronics, clothing, Barbies, etc. than taking a moral or practical stand against the socialist march of history. Now the Euroweenies, American communi-capitalists, Mr Potatohead Administration and sneering media, think tanks et al are confused about such matters.
Liberals are not good at handling this kind of crisis. First, they believe their own illusion that it won't happen. This will embolden their enemy. Once it happens, they panic. They are not prepared. This will lead to waffling, chaos, and finally overreaction.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.