TTLA: China's Political Institutional Reforms from 2012 to the Present

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Cù Thị Thúy Lan 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: June 12, 1981 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Decision on admission of doctoral students: Decision No. 2775/QD-XHNV, dated December 31, 2020, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, valid from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2023.
6. Changes to the training process (if any): None
7. Thesis Title: Reforms to China's Political Institutions from 2012 to the Present
8. Major: Political Science 9. Code: 9310201.01
10. Scientific supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Quang and Dr. Nguyen Thu Hong
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
11.1. Purpose and scope of the thesis
This dissertation examines and clarifies the characteristics of current political institutional reform in China, summarizes practical experiences, points out the achievements of political institutional reform in China since 2012, as well as the remaining problems, draws some lessons learned, and provides predictions for future political institutional reform in China. The dissertation also relates this to the current practice of political system reform in Vietnam. The dissertation identifies the research subject as the process of political institutional reform in China from 2012 to the present.
11.2. Research methods used
- Document analysis method
Based on the synthesis, analysis, and systematization of available documents, this thesis surveys the overall situation of previous research related to political institution reform in China, including studies following the historical process and studies analyzing specific issues and aspects of political institution reform. Based on this, it forms a theoretical framework and outlines directions for further research.
- Case study method
For specific political institutional reforms, such as the reform of the anti-corruption system and related agencies in China after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, this thesis applies the case study method to clarify specific reform manifestations, the factors involved and impacting the reform process of the anti-corruption agencies of the Communist Party and the Chinese government, the factors influencing the reform process, the effectiveness of the reforms of these agencies, and to evaluate and predict the next stages of reform.
- Comparative method
In researching and evaluating political institutional reforms in China from 2012 to the present, this thesis compares them with previous reform periods and, to a certain extent, compares them with the current process of political system reform in Vietnam to draw conclusions.
- Secondary research methods
In some aspects of the theoretical framework for political institution reform, the dissertation employs a secondary research method, building upon existing theoretical research achievements related to the Marxist political party-state, applying them to the specific case and field of the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the government led by the Chinese Communist Party. This is done within the context of current practical conditions to illuminate and clarify the nature of this relationship, as well as the characteristics of the political institution reforms undertaken by the Chinese Communist Party.
11.3. Main results and conclusions
11.3.1. Main results
- This dissertation contributes to clarifying some theoretical issues regarding political institution reform, and political institution reform in China.
- Developing an analytical framework for political institutional reform in China.
- This dissertation establishes an overall picture of current political institutional reforms in China, helping to accurately assess the current state of China's internal politics.
- Based on an analysis and assessment of the achievements and difficulties encountered in the political system reform process, the thesis provides predictions about the prospects for political system reform in China, thereby offering a perspective for evaluating the future of Chinese politics.
- The thesis draws some lessons learned related to political institutional reform in China and offers some suggestions for reforming the political system in Vietnam.
11.3.2. Conclusion
- China's political system is built and perfected on the principle of democratic centralism, with power belonging to the people, and contains unique characteristics of China. In the Chinese political system, the Communist Party is the leading core in all aspects.
- In China's political system, the Communist Party of China is the leading force in all aspects. From 2012 to the present, China's political system reforms have focused on: personnel reform, electoral reform, decision-making reform, inspection and supervision reform, Party-state system reform, ruling party system reform, defense and military reform, and grassroots governance system reform.
- The future trend of political system reform in China is likely to develop in the following directions: (i) Gradually "loosening" democracy, strengthening leadership and guiding society to participate in politics; (ii) Finding the right direction for political system reform or a "breakthrough" in political system reform; (iii) Implementing a balance of power distribution and strengthening the level of power oversight.
- China's political institutional reforms offer many valuable insights for Vietnam in its process of transforming and upgrading the leadership and governance methods of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as in the country's renewal and development.
11.4. Novel Contributions of the Thesis
- This dissertation provides an overall perspective on current political institutional reforms in China, helping to accurately assess the current state of China's internal politics.
- Based on an analysis and assessment of the achievements and difficulties encountered in the political system reform process, the thesis provides predictions about the prospects for political system reform in China, thereby offering a perspective for evaluating the future of Chinese politics.
- Some lessons learned from China's political institutional reforms mentioned in the thesis offer insightful perspectives for reforming Vietnam's political system.
12. Directions for further research:
NCS intends to continue its in-depth research on this topic, as it is currently receiving a great deal of attention from scholars both domestically and internationally. Therefore, updating relevant information and knowledge is essential.
13. Publications related to the dissertation:
- Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2023), “Some factors affecting the reform of political institutions in China today”, Journal of Politics and Development (07-2023), ISSN 1859-2457, pp. 87-94.
- Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2023), “Reforming the mechanism of supervision and operation of power in China”, Communist Magazine (electronic), ISSN 2734-9071, published on November 25, 2023.
- Julia Luong Dinh, Ha Hai Hoang, Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2024), “China's soft power in Southeast Asia through the Belt & Road initiative and Vietnam's reception”, Asian Perspective (Johns Hopkins Univesity Press) 48 (2024), pp. 301–326, ISSN print: 0258-9184; online: 2288-2871.
- Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2024), “Political Restructuring in China: Objectives, Tasks and Influencing factors”, International Conference Proceedings New Studies and Findings in Vietnamese Politics and International Politics, VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi, University of Education Publisher, pp. 213-220.

 

 

11.1. Thesis purpose and objectives
The thesis researches and clarifies the characteristics of political institutional reform in China today, summarizes practice, and points out the achievements of political institutional reform in China since 2012, through which points out remaining problems, draws some lessons and makes predictions about political institutional reform in China in the coming time. The thesis also makes contact with the reality of renewing the political system in Vietnam today.
The thesis identifies the research object as the process of institutional political reform in China from 2012 to present.

- File analysis methods
Based on the sequence, analysis, and system of existing literature, the thesis surveys an overview of previous research related to political institutional reform in China, including research on the historical process, slicing research on each issue, each specific content of political institutional reform. On this basis, forming a theoretical framework as well as future research directions.
- Case study method
For some specific institutional political reform items, for example the reform of the system of agencies and apparatus related to anti-corruption in China after the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China, the thesis applies the method Study specific cases (case law), thereby clarifying specific reform manifestations, participating factors, and investigating the reform process of anti-corruption agencies of the Communist Party as well as the Chinese Government. National Assembly, the factors influencing the reform process, the reform effectiveness of this agency and evaluating and forecasting the next reform steps.
- Comparative method
When researching and evaluating institutional political reform in China from after 2012 until now, the thesis has compared with previous reform periods, and also compared to a certain extent with The process of reforming the political system in Vietnam today to draw conclusions.
- Secondary research methods
In some research contents of the theoretical framework on political institutional reform, the thesis uses secondary research methods, based on existing theoretical research achievements related to the political party-state of the communist regime. Marxist meaning, applied to the specific case and field of the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the government led by the Chinese Communist Party, placed in current practical conditions to illuminate and clarify the nature of the relationship. This system also characterizes the political institutional reform carried out by the Chinese Communist Party.
11.3. Major results and conclusions
11.3.1. The major results
- The thesis establishes an overall picture of political institutional reform in China today, helping to perceive the current state of China's internal politics.
- Based on the analysis and assessment of the achievements achieved and difficulties encountered in the process of institutional political reform, the thesis makes predictions about the prospects of political institutional reform in China, thus providing a perspective to assess China's political future.
- Some lessons learned related to political institutional reform in China mentioned in the thesis have suggested meaning for reforming the political system in Vietnam.
11.3.2. Conclusions
- From 2012 until now, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party with Xi Jinping in power, China's political institutional reform has been carried out in specific areas such as: Human regime reform. reform of the election system, reform of the decision-making system, reform of the inspection and supervision system, reform of the Party and State institutions, reform of the ruling Party's institutions, reform of defense and army, institutional reform of grassroots governance. Notably, fighting corruption is both a goal and also an important “support” and measure to carry out political reform.
- China's political system reform is a gradual process, often called “crossing the river”, going from governing the Party to governing the National.
- In the process of reforming China's political system from now on, strengthen the authority of the Party Central Committee, especially the “leading core” role of the Party Central Committee and the Central government, and consolidate its position. The position of Xi Jinping's “nuclear generation of leaders” remains an important political issue.
- China's political system reform has gone through different stages of reform and has achieved very important initial achievements, laying the foundation for realizing the goal of building a democratic political system Socialism with Chinese characteristics, but besides that there are still many difficulties and challenges to overcome.
11.4. New contributions of the thesis
- The thesis provides an overall view of the current institutional political reform in China, helping to accurately assess the current state of China's internal politics.
- Based on the analysis and assessment of achievements and difficulties encountered in the political institutional reform, the thesis makes predictions about the prospects of political institutional reform in China, thereby providing a perspective to assess the future of Chinese politics.
- Some lessons learned related to political institutional reform in China mentioned in the thesis have suggested significance for the innovation of the political system in Vietnam.

The PhD student intends to continue to conduct in-depth research on this topic as it is currently receiving a lot of attention from scholars at home and abroad. Therefore, updating relevant new information and knowledge is necessary.

ButCu Thi Thuy Lan (2023), “Some factors affecting political institutional reform in China today”, Journal of Politics and Development (July 2023), ISSN 1859-2457, pp. 87-94.
- Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2023), “Reforming the mechanism of supervision and operation of power in China”, Communist Magazine (electronic), ISSN 2734-9071, published on November 25, 2023.
- Julia Luong Dinh, Ha Hai Hoang, Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2024), “China's soft power in Southeast Asia through the Belt & Road initiative and Vietnam's reception”, Asian Perspective (Johns Hopkins Univesity Press) 48 (2024), pp. 301–326, ISSN print: 0258-9184; online: 2288-2871.
- Cu Thi Thuy Lan (2024), “Political Restructuring in China: Objectives, Tasks and Influencing factors”, International Conference Proceedings New Studies and Findings in Vietnamese Politics and International Politics, VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi, University of Education Publisher, pp. 213-220.