The 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party has started on Sunday. For China, this is a historic event. Not only is the Congress expected to extend Xi’s leadership by an unprecedented third mandate, but it will also set out the future of the country’s domestic and foreign policy. The War in Ukraine and the rising competition with the United States are strengthening Xi’s resolution to challenge the existing world order. Yet, by doing so, he risks alienating a few major economic partners, such as the European Union. On the national level, he will have to find a way to boost domestic consumption to revive Chinese economy, which did not perform as well as expected, due to lockdowns and property crises. Will the 20th Congress set a new course for the People’s Republic of China? How will the Congress affect China's internal relations?
