Rumors swirl that China’s Xi Jinping will step down amid harsh COVID lockdowns

Rumors circulating in China and among overseas Chinese social media are claiming Chinese President Xi Jinping, under fire for draconian COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai and elsewhere, will step down from power.


The rumors followed a meeting last week of the Party Politburo Standing Committee, the collective leadership group that rules China. They were traced in part to a Chinese-language YouTube video May 4 by Canadian-based blogger appearing under the persona “Lao Deng.” Details of the video quickly spread to social media outlets in China but were quickly censored.


The blogger, citing what he said was a senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) security source, said a “coup” was launched against Mr. Xi at the meeting of senior party leaders in Beijing. According to blog, Mr. Xi was forced to step aside but will stay in place until a major party meeting later this year.

In his place, current Premier Li Keqiang will take over daily management of the party and government.


The video included the headline “Shocking Coup: Xi Jinping Has Stepped Down; Li Keqiang is the New Master.”

Xi Jinping to step down, rumors suggest, amid harsh China COVID lockdowns - Washington Times

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current Premier Li Keqiang will take over daily management of the party and government.

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Actually the Chinese Premier does take care of the daily management of the gov't. Chairman is less of a hands on, more of a ceremonial role.

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Originally Posted by sabang

Actually the Chinese Premier does take care of the daily management of the gov't. Chairman is less of a hands on, more of a ceremonial role.

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Sabang trying to hold back the tears with some aimless waffle.

:rofl:

Idiot.

Premier of the People's Republic of China - Wikipedia

sabang you need to go and calm your fellow wanketeers instead of blubbing about it. They will be disconsolate.

sabang'a altar of ugliness will still continue . . . Putin, Assad, Xi and Kim . . . what a team. Similar to our sabang, Backspit, OhWoe and a revolving door fourth

You forgot The Ayatollah and the Chavistas. :chitown:I have several times in the China thread mentioned my deep manlove for Uncle Xi.

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Originally Posted by misskit

In his place, current Premier Li Keqiang will take over daily management of the party and government.

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Xi stepping down seems hard to believe, he has spent so much time and effort building his power base and eliminating his rivals. Covid is a huge challenge but it's not like he invaded a sovereign neighbour, unlike another autocratic leader. So I remain sceptical and that other piece I posted about some returning Chinese travellers getting their passports cancelled only suggests a strengthening of the current Covid policy. Also Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Monday reiterated the country's adherence to the zero-COVID policy, a week after this rumour started. I don't agree with the zero-Covid policy myself but so far they haven't asked me to run China.
The proof of the pudding will be in the near term announcements about China's Covid strategy. If there is a massive change of direction then maybe that will be a signal that Xi will indeed retire gracefully. I'm not holding my breath.

Just rumour shutree- PH assured us he was "President for Life".

A rumour started by a Canadian-based blogger with a "source".

Sounds awfully Backspin-esque.

Xi won't step down, his Chinky lab technicians who produced a vaccine less effective than water and 3rd tier zombies in charge will be found guilty ...... shortly. They've executed people for stealing pig hairs ffs.