Chinese President Xi Jinping, 73, whose rule could extend into the 2030s, is expanding the role of his closest confidant Cai Qi, 71, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo, as he consolidates a long-term power structure without spelling out a succession plan.
The New York Times (NYT) noted Sunday that Xi recently appointed Cai as president of the Central Party School, the party's cadre training institution, and forecast that Cai would take on a key role in vetting the next generation of leaders. Chinese state media reported on June 7 that Cai attended the Central Party School's graduation ceremony in his capacity as president.
Cai is a top confidant who concurrently serves as director of the General Office of the Central Committee, effectively Xi's chief of staff; as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the top power body; and as secretary of the Central Secretariat, which oversees the party's ideology and propaganda work.
"The appointment suggests that Cai will play a key role in vetting candidates for the next senior cadres and screening whether the next generation of leaders meets the strict ideological standards Xi demands," the NYT analyzed.
Cai's expanded role also dovetails with a succession picture that remains shrouded in fog. Xi is expected to seek a fourth term at the Communist Party congress late next year, but he has not named a successor. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Xi has not elevated any young, experienced successor-level figures to the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee. Analysts say the figures being promoted recently are, like Cai, mostly elderly confidants who have worked alongside him for long periods, making them difficult to groom as next leaders due to their age.
Cai's standing is expected to grow further. During U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit in May this year, Xi introduced Cai first at the welcoming ceremony. Next year, more than two-thirds of the roughly 200 members of the Communist Party's Central Committee will become subject to replacement once they turn 65. With the continued purges of senior figures, including Zhang Youxia, who was the military's No. 2, observers say loyalty and ideological vetting of next-generation cadres will be further strengthened.
Deng Yuwen, a former editor at the Central Party School's official publication, said, "Even if Cai steps down from other posts, there is a possibility that he will retain the presidency of the Central Party School," adding that "he will continue to serve as Xi's 'eyes and ears' afterward."
