Special to WorldTribune.com

By Willy Lam, East-Asia-Intel.com

President Xi Jinping is emerging as China’s undisputed strongman even as whatever little that has remained of the institutional reforms championed by late leader Deng Xiaoping has become increasingly attenuated.

Having been a principal victim of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) spearheaded by dictator Mao Zedong, Deng quickly put together the principles of a collective leadership whereby the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) — and not a demigod-figure like Mao — would be the country’s supreme ruling council.

Moreover, there would be a strict division of labor within the PBSC. For example, the General Secretary will look after foreign and military policies as well as party affairs, while the Premier would have full control of the economy. Other members of the PBSC will have undisputed authority over areas including legislation, law-enforcement, ideology and propaganda, as well as fighting corruption.

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  Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaoping, Mao Zedong, One-man rule displaces reform: Xi sidelines Li, Politburo Standing Committee, takes control of the economy, Xi Jinping