Ahead of his state visit to the US next month, Chinese President Xi Jinping is "looking more vulnerable" than at any time since taking office in 2012 mainly due to the ongoing economic crisis, according to a media report.
"Xi is in control, no question about that. The flip side of that is, everybody kind of expects him to sign off on everything before any action is taken," a senior party official was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal.
Attributable mainly to the ongoing economic crisis that China is facing and recent sharp fall in stock exchange, Xi is "looking more vulnerable than at any time since taking office in 2012, insiders say", the daily said yesterday.
"His image as a bolder, more capable leader than his recent predecessors is being undermined by his botched handling of the stock market rout, a sudden devaluation of the yuan, an economic slowdown and a massive explosion at a toxic chemical warehouse," the paper reported in a news dispatch from Beijing.
The financial and economic woes in particular are feeding accusations among political insiders that Xi has concentrated too much power in his own hands and too much attention on political goals and international affairs at the expense of the economy, the paper said.
Ahead of Xi's meeting with US President Barack Obama at the White House, National Security Advisor Susan Rice has just concluded her visit to Beijing to give final shape to the State visit and the agenda.
"In addition to discussing preparations for President Xi's visit, Ambassador Rice emphasised the need to confront differences constructively, including on issues of concern such as cyber, Chinese currency, maritime issues, and human rights," National Security Council's spokesman Ned Price said.
Price said Rice held candid, fruitful and wide-ranging consultations with State Councilor Yang Jiechi. The two agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation on a range of issues including Iran, North Korea, climate change and global public health.
Xi will project an image of strength when he presides over a World War II Victory Day parade on Thursday featuring fighter jets, ballistic missiles and 12,000 troops - an event China hasn't marked in such a high-profile way before. Three weeks later, he heads to Washington for a state visit, the report added.
