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The Hongkong-based China Media Project recently pointed out that two small signals were sent out on the front page of the People’s Daily on December 5 and 6, through the inclusion in headlines of the phrase “Xi Jinping Economic Thought” (习近平经济思想), the first headline references in the key arena of economic decision-making to Xi’s so-called banner phrase, or qizhiyu (旗帜语), the long-winded “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想). It observed that though these headline appearances may also have something to do with the upcoming annual Central Economic Work Conference, there can be little doubt that they are important steps toward the formal introduction of the potent “Xi Thought” — putting Xi on par with Mao. Separately, the "Economic Daily Issue Group 经济日报课题组" published (November 30) a lengthy article titled - "A review of Xi Jinping Economic Thought", which used this specific phrase 16 times.

(Comment: Analysts have commented that this could be a build up to the 20th Party Congress.)