Xi Jinping's fears of becoming another Gorbachev

 

Xi's pro-Russia stance rooted in fear of Gorbachev model

<iframe width="491" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgm14D1jHUw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>   Almost 10 years ago, the newly appointed Chinese Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping, surprised many by lamenting the actions of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union's last leader.   "Finally, all it took was one quiet word from Gorbachev to declare the dissolution of the Soviet Communist Party, and a great party was gone," he said. "Nobody was a real man. Nobody came out to resist."    Looking back, Xi's remarks resonate with Russian President Vladimir Putin's philosophy, which is fueling his invasion of Ukraine: a desire to restore Soviet-era glory combined with a strong distrust of the West.   Xi's own distrust of Western intentions may explain why he agreed to oppose NATO's eastward expansion when he met Putin in February. The leaders also affirmed a "no limits" partnership at that meeting. Both promises have severely limited Xi's options on Ukraine.   If the Ukraine war inflicts more harm on China's economy, it may trigger a power struggle. History tells us that the months leading up to the Communist Party's twice-a-decade national congress are the most sensitive. In the past, these periods have seen arrests, deaths and mysterious gunfire.