In March this year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had his press conference cancelled at the “Two Sessions,” further highlighting his weakened position and drawing attention. Recently, authorities held a symposium on the development of the western region in Chongqing, where a central region coordination and development leadership group, possibly led by Li Keqiang, was discussed. Analysts believe that this does not necessarily indicate Xi Jinping’s delegation of power. However, the fate of these projects is uncertain.
On April 24th, Xinhua News Agency reported that on April 23rd, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping presided over a symposium in Chongqing to promote the development of the western region in the so-called “new era.” Three members of the Politburo Standing Committee attended the symposium, including Premier Li Keqiang, Director of the General Office of the Central Committee Cai Qi, and Vice Premier Ding Xuxiang.
Speakers at the meeting included Development and Reform Commission Director Zheng Zhajie, Chongqing Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun, Sichuan Party Secretary Wang Xiaohui, Shaanxi Party Secretary Zhao Yide, and Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui, among others.
According to official reports, Xi emphasized in his speech that the “central region coordination and development leadership group should strengthen overall coordination and supervision.” Subsequently, Li Keqiang and Ding Xuxiang made statements.
After the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a central region coordination and development leadership group was established, overseeing the coordinated development of various regions. However, the identities of the group’s leader, deputy leader, and office director have never been made public.
Commentator Li Linyi stated on April 26th that this leadership group is a major organization overseeing the overall situation, and the leaders’ identities remain a mystery. From Xi’s speech and the subsequent statements by Li Keqiang and Ding Xuxiang, it appears that both of them are involved, with Li Keqiang playing a primary role. However, it is doubtful that Xi trusts their capabilities fully.
Analyst Wang Gong also wrote on April 25th, suggesting that Xi’s remarks on April 24th regarding strengthening coordination and inspection by the central region coordination and development leadership group point to his indirect influence on the group. Therefore, there is a greater likelihood of Li Keqiang serving as the leader of this group, with Ding as the deputy leader. However, the authorities have not made any official announcements regarding this.
The article argues that regional coordination involves coordination of various regions, and Li Keqiang’s State Council has been significantly marginalized under Xi’s leadership. If Li Keqiang were to lead the central region coordination and development leadership group, lacking authority, he may face resistance from local officials. Even if Xi Jinping were to personally lead this group, it may not necessarily be effective, as local officials currently show reluctance towards Xi’s directives. Consequently, the implementation of these national-level “strategic” projects by the Chinese Communist Party may encounter collective setbacks.
Since Xi Jinping came to power, several committees or leadership groups have been established at the central level, with Xi himself serving as director or leader. This has led foreign media to refer to Xi as the “omnipotent chairman.” The names of these original “groups” have mostly been changed to “committees.”
Before the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022, Xi Jinping held positions in seven central committees, including Chairman of the National Security Commission, Director of the Central Deep Reform Commission, Leader of the Central Military Commission’s Defense and Military Reform Leadership Group, Director of the Central Network Security Commission, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Leader of the Central Taiwan Work Leadership Group, and Chairman of the Central Finance and Economics Commission.
However, after the 20th National Congress, some important central-level committees are not chaired by Xi.
The newly established Central Financial Committee is led by Li Keqiang. Another party affairs-related Central Financial Work Committee was established at the same time, led by Xi’s former associate He Lifeng, who also serves as the Secretary of the Work Committee, Director of the Central Financial Commission, and Director of the Central Finance Office.
Furthermore, a report by the South China Morning Post on March 28th last year stated that Cai Qi took over the Central Network Security and Informatization Committee previously led by Xi in the first half of the year. However, the authorities have not yet announced any related appointments.
In mid-July last year, the National Conference on Network Security and Informatization Work was held by the Communist Party, with reports indicating that Cai Qi attended the meeting and delivered a speech, while Vice Premier Ding Xuxiang conveyed Xi’s instructions.
Regarding signs of Xi Jinping’s “delegation of power,” Ding Shufan, Honorary Professor at National Chengchi University’s Graduate Institute of International Affairs, stated on April 2nd that although Li Keqiang serves as Chairman of the Central Financial Committee and Cai Qi has taken over the Central Network Security Commission, they are likely to consult Xi Jinping on most matters. Their power comes from Xi and they are tools of Xi.
On April 19th, Ding Shufan further commented that the current position of the six members of the Politburo Standing Committee is lower than during the Jiang and Hu eras. “In the Xi Jinping era, Xi alone is revered, and the other six are all his subordinates.”
After the 19th National Congress, Xi Jinping and the Communist Party have continuously emphasized the idea of upholding “centralized and unified leadership,” leading observers to believe that Xi’s power is still growing.