China’s DNA: What’s in it, war or peace?

THE long-expected 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing next week and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, is expected to emerge with an even tighter grip on the levers of power. The party constitution will be changed with the incorporation of his name into that document—something that has not happened since Deng Xiaoping’s death 20 years ago.

The Chinese people will be exhorted to study the “thoughts” of the current leader, just as was the case with Mao from the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 until his death in 1976.

Xi has gathered the reins of power over internal security, foreign policy and the economy in his own hands. This reverses the collective leadership that had been China’s hallmark in recent years.

Not surprisingly, people overseas are concerned by the implications of China’s growing power, and of the concentration of such power in the hands of one man. The Chinese government has attempted to soothe them by pointing to history and saying that China has always been a peaceful country, a victim rather than an aggressor. In the words of General Secretary and President Xi, “For several millennia, peace has been in the blood of us Chinese and a part of our DNA.” Hence, no need to worry.

How true is this? What is in the Chinese DNA?

For one thing, it seems fair to say that equality is not in the Chinese DNA. This in the language.

Interestingly, in Chinese, there is no word for “brother” or “sister.” The only terms that exist younger brother or older sister, younger sister. One’s status is other people, and that status is

The hierarchical structure of with the ruler at the top, who was advised by loyal ministers. Below them were the common people. is reflected