Xi's Game

The Chinese leader wants to emerge from the Beijing Olympics as dictator for life

- By Gordon G. Chang, Photography by Lan Hongguang/ Getty

IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT XI JINPING GOT his job via the Olympics—and that he could lose it the same way. The Chinese strongman was the senior leader with responsibility for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. His role in the country's well-received Olympic debut apparently encouraged him to act boldly in grabbing power. Now he's once again personally supervising an Olympics. And if he wants to stay in power—to achieve his goal of being Dictator for Life—he needs to win the 2022 Winter Games.

As the Opening Ceremonies get underway in Beijing, most observers say the Chinese state is far stronger than it was 14 years ago: able to bend companies, institutions and governments to its will. In fact, the regime is more fragile than it was in 2008, and Xi is facing internal resistance to his rule. Despite what China-watchers almost universally believe, he might not receive an unprecedented third term as the Chinese Communist Party's general secretary later this year.

A failed Games would almost certainly quash his chances. That means Xi needs no scandals, no terrorism, no visible protests about Uyghurs or other issues. And most of all, given China's role in unleashing the global pandemic, it means Xi's “zero COVID” strategy must work.

With the pressure on, Xi is sweating the details. “Preparations for these games reflect Mr. Xi's style of governance,” The New York Times reported. “He has been at the center of each decision from the layout of the Olympic village in Chongli, to the brands of skis and ski suits. China's leader has made numerous inspection trips to the facilities in the hills of the Beijing municipality, issuing orders like a construction manager.