Xi Jinping’s hold on political power is both more direct and came earlier than Deng Xiaoping’s, who had to combat Mao’s designated successor Hua Guofeng for influence. Even after winning the power struggle, Deng still ruled only indirectly, as he never formally served as the CCP’s general secretary or China’s president or premier. In contrast, Xi’s reign has seen virtually unprecedented institutionalization and centralization of power into his own hands.

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