20th Communist Party Congress: China's tightrope walk

On October 12, the final plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party concluded, as it usually does, with the outgoing committee giving its approval for the work report that Xi Jinping will present at the 20th Party Congress, as well as for unspecified amendments to the party's constitution. What is more remarkable is the near absence of informed leaks about the personnel changes and policy direction that will come forth when the 20th Party Congress opens in Beijing on October 16. This silence underscores the extent of personalistic rule and authoritarian control that Xi has…