China’s Leadership Transition: What’s at Stake?
Published Date: November 16, 2012
On September 12, 2012, CNA China Studies held a conference to examine the implications of the leadership transition that was about to take place at the 18th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. This report discusses five key themes that emerged in the conference.
- Party Congresses are important because they mark a transition both in personalities and in policy.
- The 18th Party Congress comes at an especially critical time for China.
- China’s new leaders will face many limitations on their ability to take a new policy direction, even if they want to do so.
- The rest of the world is deeply invested in China’s policy decisions.
- Misperceptions and mistrust constrain the ability of leaders in China, the United States, and other countries to move their relationships forward.
