The Global Times tabloid, published by the party’s official People’s Daily, said Xi’s role as the core “in fact has long been in the minds of the Chinese people”. “All Chinese know clearly that the Xi’s leadership has played a critical role in the changes in China in the past four years,” it said in an editorial, pointing to the success of his corruption fight and in tackling issues like terrorism.
“It was beyond anybody’s belief that corruption could be tamed and officialdom would progress toward less corruption a few years ago. But it is happening in China.” Dozens of senior officials have been jailed in the campaign against graft. Xi has warned the problem is so severe it could affect the party’s grip on power.
