News Analysis
After China’s military authorities ordered the armed forces to follow the command of Military Commission Chairman Xi Jinping in all operations, Xi declared “victory in the fight against the epidemic” at a meeting of the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee. In contrast, the last time Xi announced a victory against COVID in 2020, it was at a huge celebration party.
Meetings of the Politburo Standing Committee are usually held once a week to deal with the daily work of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Central Committee and make decisions on major issues. It is rare for Chinese leaders to make major announcements like the “victory in the fight against the epidemic” at such small-scale meetings, which would be more appropriately announced at a Politburo meeting attended by at least 24 Politburo members….