Signs Mount That Xi Jinping Is Under Pressure to Cede Power

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

---

Image Credit: Newscom/Alamy via The Conversation

In a development that could reshape China’s political landscape, recent signals from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suggest that President Xi Jinping may be compelled to delegate some of his sweeping powers to senior deputies, amid growing internal pressures and economic headwinds.

At the heart of this speculation is the CCP’s latest Politburo meeting on June 30, where senior leaders emphasized the need for stronger “policy coordination” and a more rigorous “review process” for major initiatives. While these phrases might appear routine, for seasoned China watchers they carry deeper implications hinting that Xi’s concentration of authority is facing rare internal pushback.

For more than a decade, Xi has maintained an iron grip over China’s top decision-making bodies, chairing critical commissions spanning finance, technology, and cyberspace. His leadership style, often compared to that of Mao Zedong, has relied on tight central control and sweeping anti‑corruption campaigns to consolidate power.

Yet, China’s persistent economic malaise sparked by the 2021 real estate crisis and worsened by prolonged trade tensions with the United States has eroded confidence in Xi’s governance. A slowdown in GDP growth, combined with a wave of high‑profile purges, has intensified speculation that internal party factions are maneuvering to dilute Xi’s authority.

Recent purges have not only targeted Xi’s rivals but have also engulfed his loyalists. Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was removed in 2023 over corruption allegations, followed by the suspension and later dismissal of Admiral Miao Hua in 2024 and the June 2025 arrest of General He Weidong, vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission. Analysts suggest that such moves, while framed as anti‑corruption efforts, risk alienating Xi’s inner circle and fueling a climate of uncertainty within the party.

Adding to the intrigue, Xi skipped the recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, sending Premier Li Qiang in his stead. Li has increasingly become the face of China at international forums, also representing the nation at the 2023 G20 summit and key ASEAN meetings. His growing prominence in economic policymaking further indicates that Beijing may be recalibrating its leadership dynamics.

“This shift in representation is significant,” said a Beijing‑based political analyst who requested anonymity. “When Xi delegates such high‑profile events, it can be read as a controlled redistribution of responsibilities or as a sign of constrained options.”

Symbolism and coded messaging known in China as tifa play a crucial role in interpreting CCP communications. Phrases urging commissions to “avoid overstepping boundaries” could be read as veiled criticism of Xi’s extensive control. However, China’s elite politics remain deeply opaque, making definitive conclusions elusive.

What is clear, however, is that Xi’s once‑unassailable dominance is encountering headwinds. Whether these developments amount to a temporary adjustment or a structural shift in Beijing’s power hierarchy remains to be seen. For now, the world is watching closely as China’s top leadership navigates a challenging period that could redefine the country’s governance for years to come.