The 2012 Chinese Leadership Change

The 2012 Chinese Leadership ChangeEDED20476: Applied Communication ArtsAssignment 3 Term Three 2013Robert Puffett S0228769

BackgroundNovember 2012: Xi Jinping is appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed ForcesMarch 2013: Confirmed as the head of state, Xi takes over from Hu Jintao as President This leadership change has been covered by the mass media of both China and the west and exhibits many of the theories of mass communication, particularly Agenda setting, framing and priming theoryThe Leadership change was a highly staged affair to assure the Chinese people and the rest of the world that China was in safe handsWestern media took note of the image management that the government was projecting and the general message of the leadership. It also sought to contextualise the process in terms of Western democracyWestern media that have been critical of the Chinese Communist Party and its leaders, leading up to the leadership transition, have been blocked online.Academics have noted the complicity of the new private media to promote the Chinese government agenda, thereby not providing a viable alternative to government media outletsThe Chinese people have become adept at decoding media messages in modern China, and are sceptical and cynical of the messages they receiveWestern media generally focuses on issues that will sell papers to its audience

Agenda Setting TheoryThe news media, by and large, do not set out to persuade, but rather to inform. We are first of all suggesting that the media, in telling us what to think about, set the public agenda; that is they tell us what issues are important for public debate. The idea behind agenda setting is quite simple: The media, over time, by featuring some issues prominently, and still other issues not at all, give us a sense of what issues are important or, in the research literature, a sense of the issues salience. By salience, we mean the amount of public or political importance an issue possesses-the light and heat it generates. (Grossberg et al 2006)

Framing theoryFraming theory refers to how the mass media present or frame information. In relation to news events, and related to agenda setting, the mass media determine the interpretation of events.The main aspects of framing according to communications theorist Robert M. Entman are: definition of the problem; diagnosis of the cause; moral judgement; and suggested remedies.These aspects are carried out using textual devices such as: the use of certain words and phrases; the choice of certain pictures or film; and the making of certain contextual references.The effects of these textual devices can be exemplified in the Australian context in the media coverage of the war in Afghanistan. For example it is commonly and repetitively referred to as a war on terror, a framing that interprets the actions of the Australian armed forces as heroic and right.

Priming TheoryPriming theory is often seen as a more specific aspect of agenda setting. The effect promotes certain evaluative criteria.Priming theory is described by political psychologist Shanto Iyengar, in reference to news coverage, as, While agenda-setting reflects the impact of news coverage on the perceived importance of national issues, priming refers to the impact of news coverage on the weight assigned to specific issues on making political judgements.For example, using a current issue in the Australian media, much attention in the news has been on illegal boat arrivals. This agenda-setting issue, has primed or given weight to the evaluation of various politicians performances, that is whether they are tough or weak on these arrivals.

Other significant theoriesThe Spiral of Silence theory assumes society isolates individuals that differ from the norm; individuals constantly experience fear of isolation; this fear leads to an ongoing assessment of the climate of opinion; this assessment affects an individuals public behaviour especially their willingness to openly express opinion.This tends to result in people concealing views that are in the minority, or more willingness to express views that are dominant in a society.Transgressive theory is particularly pertinent for our social media world, this theory implies that mass media communication is now two way and people are expressing their opinion on the issues of the day, especially online.The Two-Step Flow theory contends that opinion leaders, media commentators, that other people, followers, respect, influence the effects of the messages of mass media on those followers.

Interview with Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Politics at the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney, 22nd January 2014.First thoughts about the Chinese leadership change of 2012

Is Chinas media like North Koreas?

Image management a smooth transition and leaders from the peoplePhotos and reports of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on China.org.cn, the Chinese government authorised portal site.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/2012-11/15/content_27126777.htmhttp://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/node_7167320.htm

Their election marked a smooth top leadership transition following the 16th national congresses of the Party in 2002.The smooth transition suggests that the Party is moving steadily towards an established norm regarding the handing over of power, which will be crucial for sustained stability and development of the country, analysts observed.

FROM THE PEOPLEThe seven Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau have witnessed and endured China's vicissitudes and hardships over the last six decades, including the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Such experiences, analysts observed, gave them keen insight into China's situation and helped them understand the people's woes and expectations.

Image management - Theyve done it before, theyre well trained, and they have what it takes. GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCEAs observed by Professor Xie, the new generation of leaders have shown "capacity in controlling overall situations and tackling complicated emergencies" and "are well prepared for challenges and ready to take opportunities."All of them boast rich governance experience, climbing the Party cadre echelon step by step.THEORETICAL GROUNDING, GLOBAL VISIONNotably, they received a complete and systematic education on the mainstream ideology of socialism, which had a formative effect on their views and values, said Dai Yanjun, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.THE RIGHT FORMULA In the eyes of Huang Yebin, a delegate to the Party congress, the new generation of leadership are "energetic, trustworthy and with both integrity and capacity.""I'm sure they will lead the nation to a prosperous society," Huang said. Daniel Bell and Eric Li, a professor of political theory at Qinghua University in Beijing and a Shanghai-based venture capitalist, wrote in the British newspaper, "The Chinese political system has undergone significant change over the past three decades and it comes close to the best formula for governing a large country."It (Chinese regime) should be improved on the basis of this formula, not western style democracy," they observed.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/2012-11/15/content_27126777.htmhttp://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/node_7167320.htm

The View from the Westhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-08/chinas-communist-party-congress-analysts-tipping/4359904AUDIO TRANSCRIPT ABC AM RADIO 08/11/2012

TONY EASTLEY: In a few hours the Communist Party Congress in Beijing will open as the country prepares to usher in its new leadership.

The exact makeup of China's cabinet, the Politburo Standing Committee, is still a closely guarded secret but according to many analysts the more conservative elements in the party may have won the day.

This could slow the pace of any reforms that the president-in-waiting Xi Jinping might have had in mind.China correspondent Stephen McDonell, who will be covering the Congress over the next seven days from the Great Hall of the People, prepared this preview.

(Sound of band music)STEPHEN MCDONELL: Every 10 years Beijing changes its top leaders as the largest political organisation on the planet, the Chinese Communist Party, holds its Congress.

A six-day meeting will kick off this morning. Then on the seventh day China's new cabinet will walk out and reveal itself to the world.

In the meantime the makeup of the Politburo Standing Committee will remain a closely guarded secret.There was once a time when these gatherings could mean political retribution and great uncertainty but, according to Joseph Cheng from Hong Kong's City University, these days the party presents its Congress as part of a natural, smooth transition process.

JOSEPH CHENG: It is important not only to foreign investors but to the domestic population as well that they do not have to worry about political struggles like in the Cultural Revolution days. They can be reassured of a relatively stable political and economic environment.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: China's economy seems to be picking up again but the country they will take over is facing huge social challenges.

JOSEPH CHENG: The idea of fighting the government, of fighting the party, has become a common one. People are willing to stand up if their interests are affected. So you have a lot of protests against appropriation of land without satisfactory compensation.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: In theory this should actually play to one of Xi Jinping's strong suits. He's been ordained as the new leader of China and this'll become official with the end of the Congress.Xi Jinping is the son of a revolutionary hero who went on to run the wealthy, market-oriented Eastern provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang.

And though he could be seen as part of the privileged Party elite, as a teenager he worked in the fields during the Cultural Revolution. His supporters say this gives him an affinity with ordinary people.But the degree to which he can act on just about anything will be limited by the final makeup of the Politburo Standing Committee - in particular how many conservatives are chosen.Yet before any of this becomes clear this Congress will first celebrate the achievements of the previous leadership.

In a few hours president Hu Jintao will make a key speech to try and shore up his place in history.His critics would say that it's been a decade without reform but he'll be telling his people that they've delivered pretty solid growth at a time of great economic uncertainty.This is Stephen McDonell in Beijing for AM.

A safe pair of hands

Xi speaks to the world

"Our people have an ardent love for life. They wish to have better education, more stable jobs, more income, greater social security, better medical and health care, improved housing conditions, and a better environment," Xi said.

"They want their children to have sound growth, have good jobs and lead a more enjoyable life. To meet their desire for a happy life is our mission. It is only hard work that creates all happiness in the world," he said.

"To fulfil our responsibility, we will rally and lead the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in China in making continued efforts to free up our minds, carry out reform and opening up, further release and develop the productive forces, work hard to resolve the difficulties the people face in both work and life, and unwaveringly pursue common prosperity," Xi said.

"We have taken on this important responsibility for the Party. Our Party is dedicated to serving the people. It has led the people in making world-renowned achievements, and we have every reason to take pride in these achievements," Xi said.

"But we are not complacent, and we will never rest on our laurels. Under the new conditions, our Party faces many severe challenges, and there are also many pressing problems within the Party that need to be resolved, particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, going through formalities and bureaucracy caused by some Party officials," Xi said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/special/18cpcnc/2012-11/15/c_131976383.htm

Unwanted discussions

Not a good time for a scandalChina has lashed out at a US newspaper report that premier Wen Jiabao's family has amassed vast wealth worth at least $2.7bn (1.68bn), censoring the New York Times website and questioning the paper's motivations.

The story said Wen, widely seen as the humane face of China's top leadership, was not directly linked to the holdings. But the association with such a fortune was in stark contrast to the man-of-the-people image he has cultivated.

A foreign ministry spokesman said the report "blackens China's name and has ulterior motives". Censors blocked the paper's Chinese language website, at least partially obstructed access to its main site, and banned microblog searches for New York Times in English and Chinese.

..The report is damaging not only to Wen, but also to the Communist party. It has faced months of unwelcome scrutiny while preparing for a once-in-a-decade leadership transition mostly thanks to the scandal surroundingdisgraced leader Bo Xilaiand his wife Gu Kailai's conviction for murdering a British businessman.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/26/china-wen-jiabao-family-wealth-revealed

Xi Jinping also not immune from the western mediaXi Jinping, the man in line to be Chinas next president, warned officials on a 2004 anti-graft conference call: Rein in your spouses, children, relatives, friends and staff, and vow not to use power for personal gain.

As Xi climbed the Communist Party ranks, his extended family expanded their business interests to include minerals, real estate and mobile-phone equipment, according to public documents compiled by Bloomberg.

Those interests include investments in companies with total assets of $376 million; an 18 percent indirect stake in a rare- earths company with $1.73 billion in assets; and a $20.2 million holding in a publicly traded technology company. The figures dont account for liabilities and thus dont reflect the familys net worth.

No assets were traced to Xi, who turns 59 this month; his wife Peng Liyuan, 49, afamous Peoples Liberation Army singer; or their daughter, the documents show. There is no indication Xi intervened to advance his relatives business transactions, or of any wrongdoing by Xi or his extended family

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-29/xi-jinping-millionaire-relations-reveal-fortunes-of-elite.html

BlockedThe blocking of foreign news sites that revealed details of offshore holdings by the relatives of senior leaders has continued in China as reports emerged of a propaganda directive ordering websites and services to target users posting on the subject.

Details of the order were published by China Digital Times, a website that monitors censorship instructions.Immediately find and remove the foreign media report Chinas Secret Offshore Tax Havens and related content. Interactive platforms must strictly check [users]. Related images and accusatory comments about leaders and the system [of government] must be deleted without exception, said the instructions, according to CDT.

Block the [user] IDs of those who have an evil influence and coordinate on-the-ground investigations with the relevant departments.Such directives are often delivered verbally and are extremely sensitive. The Guardian has not verified the order independently.

The website Greatfire.org, which monitors which overseas sites are censored by China, reported that the Guardian, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and six more sites that worked on the project were partly or completely blocked. The sites began to experience access problems around the time they published the reports.The New York Times and Bloomberg websites have been blocked in China since 2012, when they carried reports on the wealth of leaders families

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/23/china-foreign-news-sites-offshore-holdings?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

No Ad-libbing

Media Commercialisation and Authoritarian Rule in China by Daniela StockmannThis book adds to this discussion as it examines the circumstances under whichmarketization of media benefits authoritarian rule and the mechanisms that tie state,media, and audiences together. Media marketization provides incentives for media and the state. Yet one-party regimes, like China, are better able than other authoritarianstates to maintain the capacity to enforce press restrictions with the help of institutions incharge of monitoring news content. Moreover, political leaders are able to take advantage of market mechanisms as it reduces the exercise of coercion through these institutions to a minimum. If audience demands already encourage media practitioners to produce news biased in support of the political goals and policies of the leadership, there is little need to issue instructions. The interaction between institutions and the market synchronize political messages in the news in favour of the regime.

At the same time, however, media marketization makes a big difference to the peopleliving under authoritarian rule. Marketized media brand themselves as trustworthyrepresentatives of ordinary citizens, leading to greater credibility in the eyes of audiences.This credibility boost entailed in media marketization promotes consumption andpersuasiveness especially among potential political activists. As a result, mediamarketization strengthens the ability of one-party regimes to disseminate information andshape public opinion in a way conducive to their rule.

Private media more trusted (but not much more)

Decoding

Interview with apprehensive Chinese students from the University of Sydney, Centre for English Teaching

In late January 2012 I interviewed 2 classes of predominantly Chinese students, I filmed the sessions but guaranteed that it was only for note taking purposes and the footage would not be used in any way, shape or form. There was an obvious fear that speaking about the media and censorship would not be condoned by the Chinese government, so the vast majority of students remained silent, with only a handful of outspoken ones, Below are the topics covered, with verbatim responses from the students highlighted.

When Xi Jinping was travelling to other countries from 2010 onwards it was quite clear that he would be the next leader. Other students said they knew in 2007 when he became vice-President because, if he became vice-President, he will be the president.His image is one of anti-corruption and he is not immune from potential disgrace, I think Xi Jinping is not the emperor in China. When asked do you ever hear or read a bad word about Xi Jinping, the response was, No, never. Other sensitive issues such as the cultural revolution are not discussed in the media, only under the table, the main story of China since the 2008 Olympics is, Yes the moral is, we have money.

Talking about media, belief in government owned media was half half and private media was still seen as, in the control (of the government), despite getting most information from social media, it is still in control of central government .It is understood that the media is under control, except the media in Hong Kong, so most of the million people believe the media in Hong Kong, cause its more justiceif we want to know something, the truth, we will log onto the website, but maybe Hong Kongs or MacausIn relation to the Chinese version of Twitter, Weibo it was noted that it was not as easily controlled by the government, they want to, but we have more than 600 million users, its impossible to control, sometimes they will delete some information, not all of it, because there are too many users.

Chinas Media Landscape

InternetSina WeiboMicroblogOver 500 million registered users/46.2 million active users dailySina.com.cnNews portal website163 million unique visitors

Tencent WeiboMicroblogAbout 540 million registered users/100 million active users dailyTencent QzoneNickname SNS, blogs, home pages626.4 million active users monthly

Tencent WeChatMobile text & voice messaging, friend networks235.8 million active users monthly

QQ.comNews portal website284.1 million unique visitors

Baidu Post BarForum and Q&AOver 200 million registered users

Baidu Search engineOver 72.9 million visitors daily

Taobao Online mall C2C 46.1 million visitors daily (combined); and T Mall ecommerce over 1 trillion RMB sales in 2012

Internet cont.Youku & TudouCompanies have merged; video sharing and viewing, including TV shows Youku: over 8.53 million visitors daily Tudou: over 2.1 million visitors dailyDouban Interest based, nickname SNSOver 100 million unique visitors monthlyRenrenReal name SNS184 million active usersSohuNews portal website175 million unique visitors dailyNeteaseNews portal website23 million unique visitors dailyiFengNews portal website5 million visitors dailyCaixinFinancial business & politics news79,000 visitors dailyYicaiFinancial & economic news64,200 visitors daily

Radio and TVChina National RadioRadioOver 700 million listenersCCTVState television broadcaster in mainland China with multiple channels200 million to a billion viewersHunanTVTop provincial satellite TV station focused on entertainment programs65 to 800 million viewersPrint Newspapers and magazinescopiesReference NewsNewspaper3.4 million Peoples DailyNewspaper2.8 million Global TimesNewspaper2 million Southern WeeklyNewspaper1.7 million New WeeklyCurrent events and lifestyle magazine 310,000 Southern People WeeklyMagazine focusing on interviews200,000

http://www.danwei.com/a-guide-to-chinas-media-landscape/

The portrayal of China in the Western Media

After 6 years as a correspondent in China for the SMHHis time as correspondent at an end, John Garnaut reflects on what he has learnt and what is still to be learnt about the Middle Kingdom.

On Urbanisation.We sped down a 10-lane airport expressway which had replaced the bumpy concrete road on which old men in faded Mao jackets had once led donkeys and trays of watermelons to market. The wheat fields around our old apartment at the Lido Hotel, .were sprouting high-rise apartments as far as the smog enabled us to see.On Corruption. I had seriously underestimated the extent to which the Communist Party had inoculated itself against the values and institutions of the European Enlightenment that underpinned capitalism in the West. The webs of patronage, bribery and thuggery that had so shocked me in Beijing's western hills extended deep into the political machine. The tools of coercion, co-option and censorship so effective in revolution and keeping the party in power were being deployed for the benefit of individuals within the elite.On Censorship. Yang lived with his family in Sydney but worked at the centre of a vast Chinese network of extraordinary journalists, intellectuals and activists. They were forcefully but strategically using their keyboards to lean against the state's resurgent power and challenge its monopoly on truth. China had arrived in the age of Sina Weibo. Despite severe restrictions, a virtual civil society was constructing itself where physical networks could not. My earlier grassroots explorations were now being made by hundreds of more capable Chinese.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/china-inside-out-20130607-2nvnw.html#ixzz2s8tcI7s1

Issues that sell papers

Freedom of the press

Online activismAnd yet for all the restrictions, social media and other communication advances have given normal Chinese a channel, however controlled, to express themselves in a way they could not have done when Hu first came to power. In a country where politics has been divorced from the populace at large, ordinary Chinese now have a voice online. They are using this newfound power to plot the downfall of corrupt local politicians and raise a ruckus about polluting local factories. They do so while constantly dodging online censors who are so paranoid, they are now thwarting searches for 86-year-old former leader Jiangs name. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are banned, and in the lead-up to the party congress, certain international news websites were blocked and Internet speed slowed to the pace of a somnolent tortoise for some users.

http://world.time.com/2012/11/08/code-red-chinas-leadership-transition-begins-amid-pomp-and-security/#ixzz2s8yyjaV3

ConclusionsAgenda Setting: in regards to the Chinese government who effectively control all media in China, whether overtly with CCTV or Xinhua or in complicity with private media, certain issues are not allowed in the media such as information about high ranking officials financial assets. When the New York Times revealed Wen Jaibaos family assets, it resulted in the blocking of their website in China, When Bloomberg news revealed the extended family assets of Xi Jinping, its website was also blocked.Any issue that the authorities feel is not for the public e.g. Taiwan, Tibet, Falun Gong is restricted by the Publicity department of the Communist Party, the de facto propaganda unit of the Chinese government In regards to the western media, it seems all issues are on the table, with particular favourites being the rising economy of China, urbanisation, pollution, corruption (at any level), censorship, human rights and the authoritarian systemFraming theory: The very staged leadership change of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was a highly framed event to give the impression of continuity and stability of government, as well as to present the leaders as conservative (read safe) and respected. This was emphasised and reinforced especially in the state media of China, with this representation being observed and noted in the western media.

The multiple methods of framing employed by the Chinese media include: the use of myth and legend, especially in regards to Xi Jinpings re-education in the countryside with peasants during his high school years, or his anti-corruption efforts in his postings as party chief in ShanghaiAnother method is traditions and ceremonies that provide a pattern to confirm and reproduce societal values, this can be seen in Xi Jinpings overseas visits to heads of state, as well as to citizens in far flung corners of China.The use of certain words or phrases have also helped to frame his leadership, in his speeches, or in media reports of his leadership, he is reinforcing his message that he is a champion for China. He will work hard, improve or better the situation for the Chinese people, he will face challenges and pressing problems especially corruption because he is dedicated to the people and will not be complacent in his role.The use of certain words and phrases can also be seen in the western media in relation to the differences with democratic political systems. Phrases such as closely guarded secret reveal the contrast to the more open and transparent political machinations of the west. Mention of his critics, that would never be mentioned in the Chinese media, are also a contrast to the more balanced media of the west.

Priming theory: The media have done and continue to do an effective job of priming the Chinese population, and to a lesser extent the rest of the world, in regards to Xi Jinping. The image put forth of him being a down to earth one of the people, who is a true socialist, a fighter of corruption and excess, he is also highly educated and the right man to continue the transformation of China. And like politicians in all countries, he is travelling and meeting citizens from all walks of life and engages in photo opportunities that continue to build this image in the Chinese publics mind.Spiral of Silence Theory: When speaking with the Chinese students it became apparent that they were hesitant to speak out in a public forum with fellow Chinese present, in case they were the deviant voice. I was approached after one of these forums, by a student who told me that a lot of the issues raised in the discussion e.g. Uyghar unrest in North West China, were taboo in China and made many of the students feel uncomfortable. Transgressive Theory: While traditional media doesnt ordinarily allow for robust two way discussion of issues in Chinese society, online media does so to a certain extent. Despite online censors and banned keywords, activists are adept at managing these hurdles with coded words and by safeguarding anonymity.Two step theory: As stated by the Chinese students and mentioned by Professor Brown, the ultimate opinion leader for the sceptical and cynical Chinese media consumer is the Hong Kong and Macau media. A free media that is trusted and respected, over the mainland media.

ReferencesCampbell, R 2002 media & culture: an introduction to mass communication, 3rd edn, Bedfords St. Martins, BostonGrossberg, L, Wartella, E, Charles Whitney, D & MacGregor Wise, J 2006 MediaMaking: Mass Media in a Popular Culture, 2nd edn, Sage Publications, CaliforniaMcQuail, D 2005 McQuails Mass Communication Theory, 5th edn, Sage Publications, LondonStorey, J 2009 Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction, 5th edn, Pearson Education, U.K. Vivian, J 2008 The Media of Mass Communication, 8th edn, Pearson Education, U.S.A. http://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/2012-11/15/content_27126777.htmhttp://www.china.org.cn/china/18th_cpc_congress/node_7167320.htmhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-08/chinas-communist-party-congress-analysts-tipping/4359904http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/special/18cpcnc/2012-11/15/c_131976383.htm