Why We Should Care When Xi Jinping Changes Clothes

Non-verbal communication is very important with Chinese leaders. We have not understood their communication in the past. 

When American communist Edgar Snow appeared next to Mao atop the rostrum in front of Tiananmen Square in 1970, it was intended by the Chinese to be an unmistakable sign to the Americans that China was receptive to President Nixon's overtures for a rapproachment.

Chinese state media could not have played up the symbolism more.

Lin Biao ignored.

Americans didn't get it. Mao had to summon Snow to a five hour meeting where he told Snow explicitly that he would welcome a Nixon visit (We still didn't get it--Nixon distrusted Snow.).

Last August the CPC sent out their announcement of the Party plenary session in October. The announcement included the usual five year plan and also "future targets for 2035", which 2035 is not in five years. It was  "a coded news release" that Xi intended to be 'leader for life'. He will be 82 in 2035; Mao was leader for life until his death at age 82.

So, we should pay attention to symbolism coming out of China. Thursday, which was July 2 in Beijing, Xi gave a speech celebrating the CPC's centenary.

It was a fiery speech Xi gave on Thursday, saying "we will never allow anyone to bully, oppress or subjugate China. Anyone who dares try to do that will have their heads bashed bloody against the Great Wall of Steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people." And Xi looked the part, dressing perfectly for the occasion and the speech style.

First time I ever saw Xi in a Mao suit.