Four Surprising Changes at China's Fifth Plenum Signal Xi's Waning Power

Nov 04, 2026 - 10:48

Four surprising changes in the CCP’s Fifth Plenum communiqué may signal a quiet shift away from Xi Jinping’s one-man rule.
Xi’s signature political slogans have vanished. The military and the Chinese people have disappeared from the final appeal to unite around his leadership. Meanwhile, the Party is emphasizing collective decision-making and tighter restrictions on top leaders’ authority.
Are these subtle changes pointing to a major political shift in Beijing? Could the CCP be moving toward collective leadership again? And what do they mean for Xi’s political future and the unresolved question of succession?
We examine the hidden political signals in the Fifth Plenum and what they could mean for China’s leadership.