A Day before convening a key meeting to chart the country’s economic path for the next decade, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tried to preserve internal unity by stressing the equal importance of the Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping eras.

The People’s Daily published an article on Friday expounding on President Xi Jinping’s remarks in January that China’s reforms and opening-up that began under Deng in 1978 should not negate developments during Mao’s time. It said those developments laid the foundation for Deng-led reforms and that Mao’s contributions “far exceeded” his errors, such as the tumultuous Cultural Revolution.

The article, penned by the history research department of the CCP’s Central Committee, warned that “negating” tragedies such as the Cultural Revolution would lead to the party’s destruction.

“There is an old saying: If you’re going to destroy somebody’s country, you must first wipe out its history,” it said.

Analysts say the article could be aimed at placating factions ahead of today’s Third Plenum, the third full meeting of the Central Committee. On its final day next on Tuesday, the plenum will unveil policy directions under President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang to achieve goals such as sustainable growth and an equitable society.

The leaders face pressure from two extremes: leftists who oppose further opening-up and blame rapid economic growth for a host of social ills such as the wide income gap; and reformers who favour a smaller role for the state and want state monopolies dismantled to foster competition and innovation to drive a sustainable growth model.

“It could be Xi’s last chance to placate the leftists before unveiling economic reforms bearing the hallmarks of Deng,” said Beijing-based analyst Li Fan. The article, which said the party “will uphold its leadership” against those preaching “the indiscriminate copying of the Western system”, shows political reforms are not likely to be the plenum’s agenda, added Mr Li.

He believes Xi wants to bolster his rule by portraying himself as a successor of both Mao and Deng, unlike his two predecessors who were deemed more Deng in their economic approach.

Singapore-based analyst Huang Jing said the article shows the party’s increasing awareness of its weakening political legitimacy and the challenges ahead. “This is Xi’s effort not only to strengthen the party’s legitimacy but also to keep the comprehensiveness and coherence of the party spirit.”

Hong Kong-based analyst Willy Lam said Xi could also be managing expectations should his reforms fail to live up to the watershed 1978 Third Plenum that put China on its reform path.

“Some liberals might say his reforms fall short of the vision and ideals of Deng Xiaoping, so this article is to lower expectation and forestall criticism.”

By arrangement with The Straits Times/ANN