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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.