“China is a sleeping giant; let him sleep, for if he wakes, he will shake the world,” prophesied Napoleon Bonaparte about China in the 19th century. However, internal discord, a lack of national cohesion, and European and Japanese imperialism led to a century of humiliation (1839-1949) in Chinese history, making China vulnerable to the volatile geopolitical environment of that era. The great communist revolution led by the charismatic Mao Zedong established Chinese sovereignty on 1st October 1949. From that day, Chinese leadership recognised that political stability was a foremost pillar of the state, a direct lesson from a century of humiliation; otherwise, China would descend into chaos, mayhem, and anarchy.

The teachings of China’s great philosopher Confucius (551 BCE) have left a profound imprint on the state’s politics, economy, and society. Confucius believed that statecraft must be conducted by visionary leaders, and only such leaders should be followed and revered for a flourishing and progressive society. From ancient times to modern China, there has been a strong emphasis on the quality of leadership. From President Mao to President Xi Jinping, each leader has brought a unique and visionary approach to guiding the country.

Despite visionary leadership, some of President Mao’s plans, such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), failed to achieve their intended goals. These failed experiments teach us that even visionary leaders cannot operate in a vacuum without a broader........

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