Xi purges presumed successors, accelerates technocrat rise

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has removed officials once seen as potential successors, including some he personally promoted, signaling a consolidation of power and a shift toward a younger technocratic generation. The purge extends beyond political rivals, indicating a systematic reshaping of the leadership pipeline. This development underscores the unpredictability of succession and the entrenchment of Xi's authority ahead of any transition.