‘Pull Out the Sick Trees’: Xi’s Constant Purges Pave Way for Next Term

What happened: President Xi Jinping of China is expected to secure a fourth term as leader of the ruling Communist Party next year. He has warned that too many officials fail to faithfully carry out his orders. Why it matters: The expectation of a fourth term comes as Xi continues purges of officials he says do not carry out his orders, shaping the party leadership ahead of that term.

President Xi Jinping of China is expected to secure a fourth term as leader of the ruling Communist Party next year. He has warned that too many officials fail to faithfully carry out his orders.

The expectation of a fourth term comes as Xi continues purges of officials he says do not carry out his orders, shaping the party leadership ahead of that term.