Li Keqiang Steps Down as China's Premier, Xi Loyalists Take the Reins - Image Generated by DALL·E

According to Politico, Li Keqiang's departure marks a shift away from the skilled technocrats who have helped steer the world's second-biggest economy in favor of officials known mainly for their unquestioned loyalty to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Li was seen as a potential top leader, but was increasingly sidelined as Xi accumulated more power. Li was known as a cautious, capable, and highly intelligent bureaucrat, but was not seen as a Xi loyalist. Li was a team player who put party unity first, but his authority was gradually shrunk as Xi shifted more of the powers of the State Council to party institutions.

The South China Morning Post reports that Li's departure leaves major questions about the future of the private sector and wider economic reforms. His expected replacement is a crony of Xi's, and Li may be remembered as the last of the technocrats to serve at the top of the Chinese Communist Party. This shift away from technocrats in favor of Xi loyalists could have a major impact on the Chinese economy, as the new leadership is likely to be less focused on economic reforms and more focused on consolidating Xi's power.

The New York Times reports that Li's departure is a sign of the increasing centralization of power under Xi, and the diminishing role of the technocrats who had been instrumental in China's economic success. Li was seen as a potential top leader, but was increasingly sidelined as Xi accumulated more power. Li was known as a cautious, capable, and highly intelligent bureaucrat, but was not seen as a Xi loyalist.

The Guardian notes that Li's departure marks the end of an era in which expertise and performance, rather than political loyalty to Xi himself, was the primary career criterion for ambitious officials seeking to rise up to higher office. This shift away from technocrats in favor of Xi loyalists could have a major impact on the Chinese economy, as the new leadership is likely to be less focused on economic reforms and more focused on consolidating Xi's power.

Li Keqiang's departure from the ruling Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee marks a major shift in Chinese politics. Li was known as a cautious, capable, and highly intelligent bureaucrat, but was increasingly sidelined as Xi accumulated more power. His departure leaves major questions about the future of the private sector and wider economic reforms, and marks the end of an era in which expertise and performance, rather than political loyalty to Xi himself, was the primary career criterion for ambitious officials seeking to rise up to higher office. The shift away from technocrats in favor of Xi loyalists could have a major impact on the Chinese economy, as the new leadership is likely to be less focused on economic reforms and more focused on consolidating Xi's power.

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China's premier bows out as Xi loyalists take reins  POLITICOView Full Coverage on Google News