CCTV FOLLIES 1.30 IF THE PLA IS SINGING, CAN SPRING BE FAR AWAY?

Beijing Spring blooms in boots and khaki -Military sings praise of self -A very special guest today -Xi bounces back from week's absence in top form -Li Qiang gesticulates -China news is good news!

The PLA makes soldiering look colorful if not fun, and fun if not inspirational.

Guess who guest numero uno was?

With Spring coming, can the blossoming of the Xi personality cult be far behind?

“Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to the country's military veterans. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission extended the greetings when attending a gala held by the CMC for retired military officers of Beijing-based troops on Monday. At around 4 p.m., amid warm applause, Xi joined the veterans, asking them about their health and lives. They looked back together on the major achievements made by the Party, the country and the military over the past year.”

“The veterans vowed to rally more closely around the party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, resolutely follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and implement Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military.”

The choreography brings to mind the Cultural Revolution, but the special effects are more contemporary and provide a virtual flex of current military might.

In other Xi news…ambassadors present their credentials at the Great Hall.

You would of thought ill-fitting Eastern European suits were a thing of the past but apparently they are still all the rage.

Xi extends a gala welcome to supplicants and tribute seekers in his rich realm.

The Taliban come to town…

It’s a credit to Xi’s stamina that he stands limply in the middle of the room to accept the credentials, one after the other, in a highly formalized but photogenic manner, of this year’s 42 new ambassadors to Beijing. It’s enough to explain his weight loss.

Afterwards he addresses the diplomats with in front of a wall painting of the Forbidden City, standing on the central imperial axis like a latter day Qian Long.

Despite persistent rumors of ill-health, Xi not only looks well but seems rather relaxed and friendly in his interactions with the diplomatic cream of Beijing.

“Xi said the world today is not peaceful. With the future of mankind and the well-being of its people in mind, China, as always, endeavours to contribute its wisdom and solutions to the cause of peace and development of mankind, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and work together to build a better world.

Diplomats listen and take notes while Wang Yi pouts all by himself in the corner.

As if the live, bodily proof-of-life of Xi as presented in arduous choreographed splendor is not enough to dispell all rumors, there’s the eternal Xi, the spiritual Xi, the Xi of Xi Thought, who is also being celebrated on this day.

Xi’s many tomes, already a big hit in the captive market of China, are being translated for dissemination around the world. And apparently that’s something to clap about.

Xi’s “comeback” after a week’s absence from the news cycle is significant as a reminder as to who is in charge. But his photos ops are almost all symbolic now, Buddha-sitting-on-the-shelf stuff where he just presents himself and that’s it.

In contrast, his Politburo team is out there mixing it up with provincials and people from various walks of life, doing the legwork and not a small amount of hand work.

Li Qiang is second to none when it comes to pointing at things for the camera, but he has a range of gestures that greatly exceeds that of his boss, Xi Jinping.

Li Qiang enjoys a big spread in the day’s news, and unlike most leaders, Xi above all, who like to stand limply and point at things, Li Qiang really gesticulates. Instead of just pointing, he has a rich repertoire of gestures, but perhaps the most common one is “the fish was really big, this big” gesture.

Finally, Li Qiang gives his hands a rest and lets his mouth do the talking.

Zhao Leji, Wang Huning and Han Zheng do their bit in the day’s diplomatic shuffle.

All told, things are good in China and only getting better. So the national mood is truly festive as CCTV’s cameras so aptly illustrate. (not sure about that clown, though)