Xi Jinping Faces Growing Internal Dissent—But Does It Matter?

Party divisions, business distrust, and social turmoil rising under Xi’s leadership

Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and other leaders applaud at the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11, 2021. Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Commentary

As the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Xi Jinping bears full responsibility for the Party decisions and how they shape the nation. Today, Xi is facing a Party driven by disunity from a variety of external challenges, policy disputes, and economic crises within China. That explains the rumors of rebellion and distrust for Xi within the Party hierarchy.