Part 9/12:
In a related global perspective, Gordon Chang discusses Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s unstable position. Recent high-level military purges and the absence from the BRICS summit in Rio signal potential weakening. Chang suggests that Xi may have lost control of key military factions, notably after the disappearance of prominent generals and the propagation of messages favoring collective leadership in PLA outlets. Rumors point to internal struggles, with some suggesting Xi’s influence could be limited to months rather than years.
Furthermore, Xi’s refusal to attend the BRICS summit reflects strained relations with fellow member nations, especially India and Brazil. Such signs of internal factionalism threaten the stability of China's leadership and future trajectory.