China After the Party Congress: What Now?

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (bottom left), Li Zhanshu, and Wang Huning (right) look on as former leader Hu Jintao (center) speaks to Xi as he is helped to leave early from the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party at The Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on Oct. 22, 2022. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Commentary

When Xi Jinping’s predecessor as leader of China and its Communist Party, Hu Jintao, was removed from the closing session of the Party Congress on Oct. 22 in full view of the 2,300 delegates, it was a demonstration to the world that Xi had swept aside all rivals and is now the undisputed ruler of the nation.