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India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why Xi Jinping's abrupt absence has sparked global speculation
For over a decade, president Xi Jinping has stood unchallenged at the pinnacle of Chinese power, his grip over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the state likened to that of an emperor. Sweeping purges, restructured institutions and a cult of personality have cemented his position as the most powerful leader since Mao an unusual silence now surrounds Xi, sparking intense speculation. His sudden and unexplained absence from major international events, including the recent BRICS summit, has triggered alarm globally. In tightly controlled authoritarian systems, such absences are rarely accidental, often signalling either deliberate strategy or deeper last confirmed public appearance was on June 24, when he met Singapore's prime minister Lawrence Wong at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. After that, he disappeared from public view for nearly two on July 7, China's state-run Xinhua News finally released an image of Xi laying a wreath at a memorial for martyrs of the Anti-Japanese War in Shanxi province. The tightly framed photo, devoid of any broader context, was meant to quell rumours. But it only deepened the mystery. Observers noted that Xi had also missed a major constitutional loyalty ceremony in June—an annual event attended by more than 50 top ministers and party leaders. In the carefully choreographed world of Chinese elite politics, such absences are rarely watchers claim the country could be heading for a political shake-up. Over the past year, several of Xi's closest allies in the military and government have been abruptly removed or have disappeared from view. Defence minister Li Shangfu and foreign minister Qin Gang vanished, only to be later dismissed without generals such as Wei Fenghe were removed. Others, such as Xu Qiliang, have died, and key figures like He Weidong have vanished from the scene. This purge of loyalists has not gone unnoticed. Some see it as a sign of Xi consolidating power even further. Others view it as a desperate attempt to quell rising discontent or perhaps a move by rival factions to isolate him. At the same time, reports of corruption in the People's Liberation Army, especially its Rocket Force, led to embarrassment for Xi in the past couple of maintain that amidst the silence, talk of succession is beginning to surface. Several names are circulating among China watchers and within elite party circles. Wang Yang, a reformist technocrat once seen as sidelined by Xi, is rumoured to be re-emerging as a potential Zhang Youxia, the current vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, has reportedly gained ground, particularly in the military ranks. The so-called Hu Chunhua faction, previously marginalised by Xi's rise, appears to be regaining strength. These developments come at a time when China's domestic challenges are multiplying—a stagnant real-estate sector, youth unemployment around 15 per cent, and persistent failures in high-tech industries such as semiconductors. Combined with ongoing trade tensions and Western sanctions, China's economy is facing its most serious headwinds in senior observers dismissed these speculations as empty. A senior China analyst downplays the speculation, calling it part of an annual cycle of rumours and insisting that Xi is merely choosing to lie low as global attention focuses on crises elsewhere—from US president Donald Trump's tariff war to India-Pakistan tensions. 'It's a Chinese concept—lie low and move steadily towards your goal,' the expert may be true. Xi has long believed in strategic patience, preferring silence over public confrontation. But history offers a cautionary tale. In the opaque world of the CCP, even supreme leaders have been quietly sidelined when they fall out of favour. Their removals are rarely announced. Instead, they fade from view—replaced, reimagined or same system that Xi has wielded with ruthless precision may now be turning against him. If the party believes he has become a liability, he could meet the same fate he reserved for others. The absence from key events, the quiet elimination of allies and the rise of rival figures all suggest a shift underway at the very top. For now, the CCP remains silent, as it always does in moments of transition. But behind the curtain, the balance of power may already be Xi's absence stems from illness, isolation or being gradually sidelined by his own system, one thing is clear: China is entering a period of political uncertainty. The leader who once eliminated rivals may now be surrounded by them. As global attention focuses on Beijing, the growing silence speaks volumes. In China, such silence often precedes significant to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Bloomberg
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
China Vows to Rein In Intense Competition, Build Unified Market
China's top leadership has pledged to curb aggressive price competition among businesses, aiming to accelerate efforts toward a unified national market to help boost domestic demand. Officials at a high-level economic meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping said they would crack down on 'disorderly' low-price competition and phase out outdated industrial capacity, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.
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First Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
Xi Jinping speaks to Donald Trump on call amid trade tensions running high
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held phone talks with his US counterpart, Donald Trump. The report comes as trade tensions between two of the world's largest economies remain high read more US President Donald Trump waves next to Chinese President Xi Jinping after attending a business event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017, during his first term. (Photo: AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held phone talks with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, according to Chinese state-owned Xinhua News. The report comes as trade tensions between two of the world's largest economies remain high. This is a breaking development. Please refresh the page for the latest updates
Malaysia Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
ASEAN leaders sign Kuala Lumpur Declaration
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, a key document guiding the next 20-years of the grouping, at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. #XinhuaNews
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Xi promises greater access to Chinese market for Malaysia and Vietnam
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has promised Malaysia and Vietnam greater access to Chinese markets as he tours south-east Asia this week. In his meeting with Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, on Wednesday, Mr Xi said: 'China welcomes more high-quality agricultural products from Malaysia to enter the Chinese market and encourages Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Malaysia.' He also mentioned further developing cooperation in green tech and artificial intelligence, according to the official Xinhua News agency. Mr Xi's tour comes after US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements disrupted the global economy last week, and he has used the trip to promote Beijing as a source of stability in the region. It is also a chance for Beijing to shore up its own relationships in the region and look for ways to mitigate the 145% tariffs that Mr Trump has kept on China, even as he paused tariffs for other countries. Mr Xi kicked off his tour with a state visit to Vietnam, and arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, for a three-day visit on Tuesday. He met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday. Malaysia is home to several Belt and Road Initiative projects, including an 11.2 billion dollar (£8.47 billion) Chinese railway project, which Mr Xi discussed in his meeting with the king. China is also its largest trading partner and a top source of foreign direct investment. In Hanoi, Mr Xi had a meeting with Vietnam's Communist Party general secretary To Lam, as well as senior leaders including the President and Prime Minister. China and Vietnam signed a series of memorandums on cooperation in supply chains and a joint railway project, and Mr Xi also promised greater access for Vietnamese agricultural exports to China, although few details were made public about the agreements. On Wednesday, China's ministry of commerce confirmed that China and Vietnam had signed a memorandum 'to build a smooth, stable, and resilient industrial chain and supply chain … and further deepen trade and investment cooperation' between businesses from the two countries. China had also agreed to deepen its defence partnership with Vietnam. The two sides agreed to 'enhance cooperation in areas such as political work, maritime security, joint exercises and personnel training, and elevate the military-to-military relations to a new level'.
