Loyalty above all: Removal of top Chinese officials seen as enforcing President Xi Jinping’s demand for obedience

The removal of China’s foreign and defense ministers is seen as a move by President Xi Jinping to consolidate his power and eliminate potential rivals within the ruling Communist Party. The reasons for their removal are unclear, but it is speculated that they may have faced doubt over their personal behavior or political alliances. The lack of transparency in China’s political system fuels speculation about the fate of these officials and whether they will face legal consequences.