I guess I should probably explain the position I started as fact.
Since the Chinese middle kingdom, no other leader in Chinese history has welded as much power in China as president Xi, outside of Mao... And I'm not sure but Xi might actually have more status than Mao, but it might be a toss up.
It's an atheistic culture, but within the framework of Chinese culture and history, President Xi has the status of our Christ or higher... He has no further checks on his power. He will be emporer/president until his death.
President Xi "thought" is as high if not higher than our Scripture, as it's required reading for all citizens and Chinese life has to conform to his teachings.
Here's a couple older articles that might be good reading even if things have gone beyond this example now.
https://www.financetwitter.com/2017...ve-when-he-meets-the-demi-god-xi-jinping.html
https://europe-diplomatic.eu/justic...-xi-jinping-is-ascending-the-heavenly-throne/
I don't suppose I know that "god" is the best word for atheists, but the person who weilds as much or more power and status as a Caesar or a Chinese emporer of old, and demands what we consider to be worship from all those around him and says he is, like his people, the son of the dragon, (they consider themselves descendants of dragons) I consider as having given himself the status if not the name of a god.