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Deep Dive | China
Xi Jinping faced with former leaders

Published on 05.05.2026 at 04:00 GMT Reading time 4 min

Xi, the purges and the succession (2/5). © Stéphane Oiry

Former leaders publicly resurfacing, targeted purges and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring: this is how the actions of figures like Wen Jiabao, Hu Jintao and Zhu Rongji are shaping the dynamics of succession and power in the run-up to the 2027 CCP Congress.

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Deep Dive | China
Xi Jinping faced with former leaders