How strong is the Chinese Communist Party’s hold on power?

The Chinese Communist Party maintains a highly secure grip on power, ranking 9.5 out of 10 on a stability scale due to the absence of organized domestic opposition and significant internal fragmentation. Minxin Pei, a professor at Claremont McKenna College, identifies a profound shift from authoritarianism to a neo-totalitarian model under Xi Jinping, marked by the revival of personality cults, state-led economic control, and a pervasive "rule of fear." While this strategy effectively suppresses internal dissent, it simultaneously fosters systemic stagnation and perpetual paranoia. China’s current grand strategy prioritizes the reduction of strategic vulnerabilities and a long-term "protracted war" approach to shift the global balance of power. Despite these efforts, the regime remains susceptible to future course corrections, as the system’s inherent rigidity and reliance on strongman leadership create significant risks for long-term governance and international stability.