Xi Move to Share Power Fuels Talk of Political Future

Chinese President Xi Jinping, widely regarded as a leader for life, is beginning to delegate authority to key organs of the ruling Communist Party, a first in his over 12-year rule.

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Xi's move sparked speculation that he may be laying the groundwork for an orderly power transition or scaling back his role in preparation for possible retirement.

Speculation about Xi's power transition was rife after state-run Xinhua news agency recently reported that the powerful 24-member Political Bureau of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in its meeting on June 30 reviewed a set of new regulations on the work of the party's institutions.

The meeting presided over by Xi himself stressed that the regulations will further standardize the establishment, responsibilities, and operations of the CPC Central Committee's decision-making, deliberative, and coordinating institutions.