Professor Steve Tsang describes Xi Jinping’s leadership style as "Sinocentric Consultative Leninism": absolute control by the Communist Party. This control is maintained through surveillance, ostensible 'anti-corruption' campaigns, nationalism, and the educational 'shaping' of the people. Xi aims to expand China's global influence, using economic leverage and Taiwan to achieve his vision of national rejuvenation. Tsang highlights contradictions in Xi’s policies, such as encouraging economic innovation while suppressing freedom and dissent, hindering growth and creativity. Although Xi's strategies have increased his power and China’s global standing, they risk internal instability and international conflict. Professor Tsang explores this, as well as a strategy of economic deterrence as a potential response from the West. Professor Steve Tsang is a political scientist and historian of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He has a PhD from Oxford University and is the author of many books. His latest book is co-authored with Olivia Cheung and is titled The Political Thought of Xi Jinping, just published by Oxford University Press. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues. John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate." If you value this discussion and want to see more like it, make sure you subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYSEGViOnb7k8ezUaWUww?sub_confirmation=1 And stay right up to date with all the conversations by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/ Follow John on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnAndersonAC Follow John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnandersonac Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnandersonac/ Support the channel: https://johnanderson.net.au/support/ Website: https://johnanderson.net.au/ Podcast: https://johnanderson.net.au/podcasts/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/steve-tsang https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-tsang-3b937012/