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In Episode 43 of Hidden Forces, host Demetri Kofinas speaks with Elizabeth Economy about the emergence of a new imperial China and the rise of Xi Jinping.

We may be witnessing the birth of a new imperial China, one that was brought about by the charismatic machinations of the nation\\u2019s leader, Xi Jinping. At the present juncture, it\\u2019s not exactly clear what Xi\\u2019s excessive centralization of power means or how his disruptive new policies will impact the rest of the world, but we can say one thing with certainty \\u2014 international power dynamics are already starting to shift in response.

Xi\\u2019s tenure truly began in 2012, when he became the General Secretary for China\\u2019s Communist Party, which is the sole governing party in China. Today, he also serves as the head of the state and the head of the military. Taken as a whole, these are all of the most important leadership positions in the Chinese government. If that\\u2019s not enough, earlier this year, in a highly controversial move, Xi did away with presidential term limits. So, he may be president for life.

Because of the near-total control that Xi wields, he is able to keep both his adversaries in the government and the citizens he presides over on a tight leash.

He eliminates his dissenters using divisive anticorruption campaigns, he oversees massive propaganda operations rooted in fabricated news and events, and he denies his people access to information by censuring the internet behind a Great Firewall.

Although many Western nations may balk at such practices, they have their benefits. Ultimately, Xi\\u2019s illiberal maneuverings often allow China to outcompete nations that cling to liberal values. This fact forces world leaders to content with a question that cannot be ignored: Can liberal nations keep pace with Xi\\u2019s imperial policies and ensure that power structures remain stable?

In today\\u2019s episode, Elizabeth Economy, author of The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State, joins Demetri Kofinas for an extensive exploration of Jinping\\u2019s top political, economic, and foreign policy priorities and the impact that his policies will likely have on the rest of the world.

Producer & Host:\\xa0Demetri Kofinas

Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou

Join the conversation on\\xa0Facebook,\\xa0Instagram, and\\xa0Twitter\\xa0at @hiddenforcespod