As Chinese President Xi Jinping enters his fifth year in power there is no question that the world’s most populous nation is a more repressive and authoritarian place than before his reign began.
China’s long history has seen many campaigns to curb corruption, yet the problem continues, due largely to the rule of man rather than rule of law. Corruption is deeply rooted in bureaucratic culture, and the only cure is democracy. Decentralization and the separation of powers, as well as election of the heads of the four branches of government, will serve to restore power to the people. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.