Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the Politburo members who late last month decided to change how the party's Central Committee will operate, effectively curtailing its power over the state. (Source photos by Yusuke Hinata and Kyodo)

Analysis: Debate on China's power structure to have far-reaching effects

Local party officials sensitive to any shift in political winds

KATSUJI NAKAZAWA

July 17, 2025 04:00 JST

Those in the nerve center of the Chinese Communist Party have suddenly begun to discuss various negative effects brought about by the extreme amount of power supreme leader Xi Jinping has managed to accumulate.

The main point at issue is that some party organizations headed by Chinese President and party General Secretary Xi have become bloated and are overstepping their authority.