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Current Politics in China

Current politics in China exhibit complex and diverse dynamics that reflect the government’s efforts to maintain economic stability and growth. Leader Xi Jinping, increasingly consolidating his power, has made “common prosperity” one of the main focuses of government policy. This includes reducing economic inequality and developing disadvantaged areas, although often these policies are accompanied by controversy regarding individual freedom and privacy. One of the important issues in Chinese politics today is the handling of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Tensions between Beijing and Taipei continue to rise, especially after Taiwan’s presidential election which again resulted in a victory for pro-independence candidates. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and makes various efforts to prevent international recognition of its government. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is experiencing difficult times with increasing protests against policies that are seen as eroding the region’s autonomy. The central government introduced security laws that restricted freedom of assembly and expression, sparking a strong reaction from the international community. This shows how the Chinese government is trying to shape a strong nationalist narrative, even though it has to face criticism from abroad. In the economic aspect, China is facing serious challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite showing signs of recovery, concerns about inflation and stagnation are emerging. The government targets sustainable growth, but must strike a balance between tight control of the technology sector and efforts to maintain global competitiveness. China’s foreign policy is increasingly aggressive, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to develop infrastructure in other countries. However, these initiatives are often viewed with skepticism, with some countries reporting falling into unsustainable debt. In addition, relations with the US continue to deteriorate, especially regarding trade and human rights issues. Domestically, the government remains focused on strict social supervision. The use of surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition and big data analysis, is increasing rapidly. These measures aim to suppress activities deemed to be destabilizing, but raise concerns regarding individual privacy. Social tensions also arise due to strict policies towards minorities, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet. Meanwhile, environmental issues are receiving increasing attention in China. The government announced a commitment to achieve carbon neutral emissions by 2060, encouraging investment in renewable energy. However, implementing this policy faces serious challenges, especially when the economy is still heavily dependent on coal. China’s involvement in international organizations, such as the UN and ASEAN, is increasingly being strengthened. Beijing seeks to expand its diplomatic influence in Asia and the world through multilateral cooperation. Despite receiving support in several sectors, this country still has to overcome international dissatisfaction regarding its aggressive actions, especially in the South China Sea. The education sector has also become a recent political focus in China, with the government launching reforms in the education system to better align with national ideals. Curriculum revisions and strict supervision of learning are deemed necessary to instill socialist values ​​in the younger generation, showing how much the government wants to ensure communist ideology remains dominant in learning. In this context, China continues to undergo a dynamic political journey, seeking to achieve its goals amidst various complex domestic and international challenges.