Xi Jinping reforms: which path will China Choose

When in 2012 Xi Jinping took over as the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, it was expected that there would be a new stage in China's political life. The changes did appear but with an emphasis on centralized power and personal dictatorship. The statements of Xi praising communism in the pre-reform era, the large-scale anti-corruption campaign, the voluntary persecution of the opposition, the introduction of significant changes in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, such actions by Xi Jinping, many experts suggest that China is returning in the era of Mao Zedong. The purpose of this study is to find out whether Xi Jinping is trying to build up its own power by establishing personal dictatorship as it used to be under Mao, or he strengthens the party's position for further fruitful reforms. In this paper, the main characteristic features of Maoism are considered as the ideological concept of the CCP, and the Xi Jinping’s reforms from 2012 to 2018. Finally, the policies of Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping are analyzed. This analysis helps to come to the conclusion which way of development China will pursue in the upcoming years. During the reign of Xi Jinping, China again enters a regime of personal dictatorship, similar to the dictatorship of Mao Zedong. The centralization of power, the fight against dissent, the lack of opposition forces are obstacles in the achieving of the intended targets which were set during the last XIX Congress of Chinese communist party.