The grandees of China’s Communist Party have gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for their five-yearly congress.

Not a teacup will be out of place; not a whisper of protest will be audible. The Communist Party has always been obsessed with control.

But under President Xi Jinping that obsession has deepened. After three decades of opening and reform under previous leaders, China has in many ways become more closed and autocratic under Mr Xi. Surveillance has broadened. Censorship has stiffened.

Party cells flex their muscles in private firms. Preserving the party’s grip on power trumps any other consideration.

The Roots of the Communist Party’s Power

The Communist Party’s grip on power is derived from a mix of sources. The party controls the military and the police, which helps to ensure that any potential challengers to its rule are dealt with swiftly and harshly. The party also controls the media, which allows it to shape public opinion in its favor and present a positive image of the party to the outside world.

In addition, the party uses its vast financial resources to buy loyalty and support from key interest groups, such as business owners and government officials. Finally, the party relies on its vast network of party members and supporters to help it monitor and control society at large. By using all of these tools, the party is able to stay in power despite widespread public dissatisfaction with its rule.

The Communist Party’s obsession with control is nothing new; however, under President Xi Jinping, that obsession has reached new levels. After three decades of relatively open and reformist policies,

China has become more closed off and autocratic under Mr Xi. Surveillance is more widespread, censorship has increased, and party cells have greater influence over private businesses.

Preserving the party’s grip on power is now seen as more important than any other consideration. This obsession with control may eventually prove to be the party’s undoing, but for now, it remains firmly in power.