China Premier's Lavish Praise Shows Xi Power for Reshuffle
- Li proclaims president’s ‘core’ status in speech to parliament
- High-profile address sets stage for upcoming party congress
Takeways From China's National People's Congress
This article is for subscribers only.
Besides the usual economic targets and policy pronouncements, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s annual speech to parliament also delivered an unambiguous political message: President Xi Jinping is the boss.
Li’s address to 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress on Sunday included seven references to Xi’s recently acquired status as the Communist Party’s “core” leader. The high-profile vote of confidence from the party’s No. 2 official -- and one-time Xi rival -- demonstrated how much the president has consolidated power ahead of a midterm reshuffle planned for later this year.