Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

Oct. 17, 2022, 5:33 p.m.

Chinese President Xi tightens grip on authority

Summary

China is holding its most important political meeting in decades. The Communist Party’s 20th National Congress will see a shake-up of the country’s leadership but the top job is all but secured with President Xi Jinping to remain at the helm. It comes amid growing fears about what a return to one-man politics might mean for the future of the country. For a transcript of this story, click here .

Five Facts

  • When did Xi become the Chinese president?
  • Who is Xi Jinping, and what role does he serve in China?
  • Why are some officials in the U.S. concerned about Xi's leadership in China?
  • What are some ways Xi has tightened control over China?
  • How does Xi's holding onto power lead to "one-man politics" as described in this story?

Focus Questions

After watching this story, what do you think is the most important thing to know about Xi Jinping and China's future? Media literacy : Who else would you want to hear from to better understand Xi's role in China's future?

For More

What students can do: Want to better understand why the U.S. has limited China's access to some microchip technology? Read the following article and discuss as a class what concerns U.S. officials might have about China, technology and global security. Do you think these concerns are legitimate?

UK cyber-intelligence chief says China’s growing power is a top security issue

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Britain's Queen Elizabeth visits Watergate House to mark the centenary of the GCHQ in London
FILE PHOTO: GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming delivers a speech at the Watergate House to mark the centenary of the GCHQ (Government Communications Head Quarters) in London, Britain, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming delivers a speech at the Watergate House to mark the centenary of the GCHQ (Government Communications Head Quarters) in London, Britain, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool/File Photo

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

Recent Daily News Lessons

2026-06-23T212757Z_1519763688_MT1USATODAY29254705_RTRMADP_3_VOTING-BOOTHS-ARE-SET-UP-TUESDAY-JUNE-23-2026-DURING-THE-e1786392101996

Daily News Lesson

Monitoring the Midterms: Are midterms safe from cybersecurity threats?

Discuss the ways the federal government and state governments are preparing for cybersecurity threats ahead of the 2026 midterms

Mohammad Reza Naqdi

Daily News Lesson

Top adviser to Iran's Revolutionary Guard leader sits down for rare interview

Explore western media coverage of Iran and what happened after the Iran nuclear deal fell apart in 2018

controlofai-e1786395984457

Daily News Lesson

Should AI companies use open-source models?

Discuss the difference between open- and closed-source AI models

prwatercrisis-e1786134357821

Daily News Lesson

Drought and aging infrastructure plunge Puerto Rico into a water crisis

Learn about the ways Puerto Rico is managing a severe drought

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward