Today: 30 May 2025
4 March 2023
1 min read

Xi consolidates power as Li Keqiang retires

Take the role of the premier, the person managing the world’s second-largest economy and, in theory, second only to Xi in the power structure.

The National People’s Congress, which starts this weekend, will be the symbolic culmination of Xi Jinping’s epic power grab, the media reported.

China’s leader has overhauled the Communist Party placing himself at the core and nobody else has even a remote chance of challenging him, BBC reported.

The starkest representation of this will be in the shift in personnel to be announced at the annual political meeting, a rubber-stamp session of nearly 3,000 delegates, BBC reported.

Take the role of the premier, the person managing the world’s second-largest economy and, in theory, second only to Xi in the power structure.

Outgoing premier Li Keqiang will take centre stage on day one. Then, at the end, a new premier, almost certainly Li Qiang, will occupy the limelight.

They’re two very different people, especially in terms of their loyalty to Xi, who started an upheaval a decade ago with his anti-corruption crackdown, cutting a swathe through the ranks of rival party factions, BBC reported.

Outgoing premier Li Keqiang

At last October’s Communist Party Congress, new appointments to the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee meant the most powerful group in the country now had only Xi loyalists.

At this gathering, it is the heads of various departments and ministerial positions which will be replaced. They are all expected to fall into the same camp.

“On the one hand this might mean Xi can really get things done with his new leadership but, on the other, there is a danger of him being stuck in an echo chamber,” an experienced business figure told the BBC.

If Li Qiang is indeed the new premier, sitting up there on the last day of the NPC, taking screened questions at the annual press event, it will have been a meteoric rise for him.

ALSO READ: ‘Tackling China defines next century’

Previous Story

Indian Navy Chief underscores need for maritime cooperation

Next Story

India’s G20 Presidency and emergence of new world order

Latest from -Top News

White House: Israel OKs Gaza Truce

Hamas said Thursday that its leadership had received a new Gaza ceasefire proposal from Witkoff through the mediators and was studying it…reports Asian Lite News The White House said that Israel has

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay

Iran pressed over 3 missing Indians

The embassy stated that it is maintaining close contact with the families and keeping them regularly updated about the steps being taken….reports Asian Lite News The Indian government has urged Iranian authorities

EU-UAE FTA talks amid US tariff pressure

Talks will also explore ways to boost trade in strategic sectors, such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials….reports Asian Lite News The European Union (EU) and the United Arab
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK to remove Chinese surveillance cameras

The government pledged to publish a timeline to remove equipment

Pak, China to unlock full potential of Gwadar port

Pakistani and Chinese officials held meetings of the two Joint