President Xi’s casual chats show chemistry of new leadership

Xi Jinping’s casual chats with his top lieutenants on China’s most high-profile political stage Friday provided fresh evidence to theories of the strong chemistry among the country’s new leadership team.  

Xi was spotted speaking with presumptive premier Li Qiang for more than 10 minutes on the Great Hall of the People’s main rostrum as voting got underway to give him a precedent-breaking third term as president. The 69-year-old leader repeatedly nodded as Li, his one-time personal secretary, spoke during the National People’s Congress session. 

The pair were later joined in the conversation by Wang Huning, who has helped craft slogans for three presidents. Xi subsequently turned and spoke with Zhao Leji, the former top graft-buster who was also appointed the head of China’s legislature Friday. 

The three Xi lieutenants were installed in the Communist Party’s highest positions during a landmark congress in October that saw Xi remove the last barriers to one-man rule. The reshuffle has fueled debate about whether the team of proven loyalists will be willing to challenge Xi or whether they might use their familiarity with the leader to help smooth over policy problems.  

The chummy exchanges drew a sharp contrast with the awkward scene on the same stage five months ago when former President Hu Jintao was mysteriously escorted from party congress proceedings. While state media later said the 79-year-old ex-leader felt unwell, the incident prompted speculation about whether his departure was related the purge of former protégés from the party leadership. 

Not seated on the rostrum Friday was outgoing premier Li Keqiang, a one-time Hu acolyte who had been routinely seated by Xi’s side for the past decade. No explanation was given for Li Keqiang’s absence, but he is no longer a member of the legislature and thus not required to attend the vote. 

(Bloomberg)