Publication

This paper argues that China's political leadership transition in 2012 was a defining point of China's communist era. The author suggests that there is an internal struggle within the Communist Party of China between the taizidang and tuanpai factions. The economic and political policies of the taizidang faction are being increasingly favoured by the Chinese leadership which appears more willing to adopt the liberal reforms of the so-called Guangdong model. This reform agenda may contribute to the further development of China's fledgling civil society.