The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 19th Congress all but confirmed Xi Jinping’s status as China’s first paramount leader since Deng Xiaoping. The incorporation of Xi’s governance philosophy ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’ into the Party constitution was interpreted by China watchers as conclusive evidence of his unassailable position in the CCP hierarchy. Alongside the promotion of Xi’s key aides — Li Zhanshu and Zhao Leji — to the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, a cohort of new civilian leaders associated with Xi also gained membership to the Politburo.
