China reaffirms Xi’s dominance, removes No. 2 Li Keqiang

China’s ruling Communist Party reaffirmed President Xi Jinping’s continued dominance in running the nation Saturday, one day ahead of giving him a widely expected third five-year term as leader.
A party congress held every five years effectively removed four of the seven members of senior leadership — including Premier Li Keqiang, the nation’s No. 2 official and a proponent of market-oriented reforms, which are in contrast to Xi’s moves to expand state control over the economy.
The weeklong congress, which wrapped up Saturday, also wrote his major policy initiatives on the economy and the military into the party’s constitution, as well as his push to rebuild and strengthen the party’s position by declaring it absolutely central to China’s development and future.
The congress was being watched for signs of any weakening of or challenge to Xi’s position, but none was apparent. The removal of Li, while not unexpected, signaled his continuing tight hold on power in the world’s second-largest economy.