The Party-State’s growing control over China’s commercial interests: An argument

Control over the out- comes and structure of the country’s economy have been crucial for the Party (Mitter and Johnson 2021), and central authorities are deeply entwined in the PRC’s economic planning and regulation. [...] Growth as a measure of political legitimacy Recent improvements in living standards and the growth of a new urban elite in the PRC are impressive, but we should not be blinded about the historical realities of the PRC’s political and economic systems as well the brutality of the Party’s previous economic doctrine. [...] The Party-State’s growing control over China’s commercial interests: 7 An argument for diversification C O M M E N T A R Y Continuing the trend of trying to broaden the scope of Chinese legislation, the PRC also implemented a new Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law in September 2021, both of which included new guidelines on the transfer of data outside of the PRC. [...] While the Party seeks to exert stronger control and influence over the Chinese economy, many PRC stakeholders still have the flexibility to interact in economic activity that can and do benefit both the PRC citizens and the global economy. [...] The PRC’s behaviour on the international stage, for example in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Schumann 2022), further reinforces the notion that the Politburo does not ascribe to the norms central to the functioning of an open international system based on the rule of law.