President of China, Xi Jinping may be seeking to revive the title ‘chairman’.
The title ‘chairman’ in the history of China has referred to just one man, Chairman Mao Zedong. He served as chairman of the central committee of the Communist Party of China, a position so absolutely powerful that party leaders retired it within years of his death in 1976.
Prior to this time, it was observed in June at a military parade in Hong Kong garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Xi met the troops with “Greetings, comrades!” Instead of replying “Greetings, leader!” the comrades answered Xi with the shout: “Greetings, chairman!”
It happened again July 30, during a military parade to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the PLA.
Tai Ming Cheung, an analyst of Chinese and East Asian defense and national security affairs said that his response passes a message that President Xi Jinping may not be grooming a successor.
