These rumors about Xi began shortly after the latest meeting, on June 30, of the Politburo (the party’s main decision-making body), which brings together China’s top leaders to make major decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To those who don’t follow Chinese politics, the idea of Xi handing over some power may seem trivial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, to understand China, it is important to realize that Xi wields enormous power, and it seems that the Politburo is signaling that some changes are coming.<\/p>\n\n\n
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What are the elements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Symbolism and indirect phraseology play an important role in the way the Communist Party communicates with the Chinese people. One way this is done is through slogans or key phrases, which are collectively known as \u201ctifa\u201d (\u63d0\u6cd5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This method of information is important as it shapes political language and discourse and influences how both a Chinese and an international audience understand what is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While at first glance, the Politburo\u2019s call for strengthening \u201cpolicy coordination\u201d and the \u201creview process\u201d of important political tasks might suggest that the central government is seeking to ensure that local officials follow Beijing\u2019s agenda, there is likely more to the Politburo\u2019s statement than meets the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The statement said that specialized bodies within the party\u2019s central committee, which includes the powerful committees now held by Xi loyalists, should focus on \u201cguiding and coordinating major initiatives\u201d and \u201cavoid taking on the functions of others or overstepping boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For experienced observers of Chinese politics, such as the Liberal Globe, there are hints here that this powerful decision-making body is issuing a veiled threat against Xi for wielding too much power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the opaque nature of the Chinese elite\u2019s decision-making process, where much of the backroom politics happens behind closed doors, means that decoding its messages is not always easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Purges and Weakening Allies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n All of this has led to growing speculation that a power struggle is underway. This is not entirely surprising, given that Xi\u2019s purge of many senior party officials through anti-corruption campaigns and his dominance of the highest levels of government have likely made him many enemies over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another sign that things are not going well for Xi\u2019s regime is the removal of some of his allies from key government positions. Xi launched the anti-corruption campaign in 2012 when he became China\u2019s leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On paper, while the campaign is officially framed as an effort to fight corruption, evidence suggests that it may have been used to remove Xi\u2019s political opponents. The problem for Xi is that the campaign is also being used against his loyal allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In October 2023, Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who was considered a Xi ally, lost his position on what were later confirmed in 2024 as corruption charges. But the crackdown on Xi\u2019s loyal allies continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admiral Miao Hua, who was responsible for ideological control and personnel appointments within the armed forces and a Xi ally since his time as a party official in Fujian province, was suspended from his post in November 2024. And in June 2025, he was removed after being investigated for corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last month, General He Weidong, who was vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, was also arrested on corruption charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are the purges a result of Xi giving ground to political opponents? That is a possibility. But even if they are not, and the purges are part of a concerted effort to root out corruption, Xi\u2019s campaign will not only question his ability to appoint the right people to government, but will also create a climate of fear among allies and potentially create further enemies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most powerful leader since Mao?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these scenarios puts Xi in a difficult position. But since Xi became China\u2019s head of state in 2013, he and his loyalists have taken over the leadership of several key national committees, making him the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These committees include the Central Economic Commission, which regulates China\u2019s financial markets, the Central Science and Technology Commission, which aims to accelerate China\u2019s technological progress, and the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, which regulates China\u2019s digital content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who\u2019s stepping up?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But it seems Xi is set to delegate some of his power, and there are other decisions that could signal a shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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