Part 7/10:
Potential Leadership Transition and Future Outlook
Should Xi Jinping be sidelined or incapacitated for an extended period, the Chinese political landscape might shift toward more reform-oriented leaders—such as Premier Li Chong or even a more pragmatic faction within the Party. However, Chang warns that Xi’s economic policies have been deeply autocratic, and any succession might not necessarily lead to liberal reforms. Instead, a new leader could intensify efforts to tighten control, especially if internal instability worsens.