50 years after Mao's death, Xi still draws power from 'barrel of a gun'

Politics Chinese leader keeps ever-tighter grip on military, eyeing Taiwan as long-sought prize Both Mao Zedong, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping used control over the military to underpin their leadership. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kyodo) YUKIO TAJIMA September 9, 2026 01:44 JST BEIJING -- In the 50 years since the death of Mao Zedong, one political principle has held true for the China's Communist Party even as the country has transformed into the world's second-largest economy: Power stems from control over the People's Liberation Army.