China’s Xi Flexes Power With Plan to Rewrite Communist Party History

Historical resolution would put leader on par with Mao and Deng, signaling strength despite economic, diplomatic challenges.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is preparing to officially stamp his personal imprint on the Communist Party’s historical record, a sign of his strengthening grip on power in the face of simmering uncertainties over the country’s economy and tensions with Western powers.

At a closed-door conclave in Beijing next month, Mr. Xi and other senior officials will review a draft resolution that lays out an authoritative accounting of the party’s “major achievements and historical experiences” since its founding 100 years ago, state media said, citing a decision reached Monday by the party’s 25-member Politburo.

The resolution would be the third such document enacted by the party, putting Mr. Xi on a par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping as leaders who commanded the preponderant authority needed to formally reinterpret modern Chinese history.

The resolution’s passage at the conclave, scheduled for Nov. 8-11, would project a sense of unity around Mr. Xi’s leadership as he prepares for a twice-a-decade party congress next year, where he is expected to secure a third term as party leader, defying the two-term precedent set by his predecessor.

Discussing the planned resolution at a Monday meeting, the Politburo heaped praise on Mr. Xi, saying his administration has steered China onto a new “historical course” of inexorable progress toward national greatness.

Authors: Chun Han Wong, Keith Zhai, The Wall Street Journal