China’s Political Discourse April 2023: Diligently Studying Xi Jinping Thought

Edited by Chu Yang and David L. Bandurski of the China Media Project

This monthly report is prepared for Sinocism by the excellent China Media Project. You can read it in your web browser here if you prefer.

1. Diligently Studying Xi Jinping Thought

2. Credentials for China’s President

3. Focus Topic: “Uniting Hearts and Forging Souls”

4. April Surprises: Seeking refuge on air conditioning units

5. The Hot and the Cold

6. The Centrality Index

7. Foreign Leaders

Diligently Studying Xi Jinping Thought

In the pages of China’s official state media, April 2023 was a month for highlighting the virtues of Chinese diplomacy and Xi Jinping’s strength as China’s head of state — with a wave of engagements coming in the wake of his “re-election” as China’s president at the National People’s Congress in March. China received leaders and delegations from at least 11 countries during the month, including France and Brazil. As diplomatic exchanges were reported in the People’s Daily, they were closely braided together with efforts to signal the power and legitimacy of Xi Jinping. 

Exploiting “Strat…