This is the first time in the CCP’s history that such a role swap among Politburo members has occurred, reports say.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has swapped the jobs of two high-ranking leaders, an unprecedented move that comes amid widespread speculation about political infighting within the upper ranks.
Shi Taifeng, previously responsible for CCP overseas influence operations, has been appointed to head the Party’s Organization Department, according to a report on Wednesday on the Party’s official website, which refers to him by that title.
Li Ganjie, who formerly managed the Party’s organizational affairs, is stepping into Shi’s previous position, according to a separate report on Wednesday from state media Xinhua. The article called Shi the head of the United Front Work Department, a fact China had not previously announced.
Both Shi and Li are members of the Politburo, the Party’s second-highest leadership panel. Currently composed of 24 members, it is led by Xi Jinping.
The announcements appeared to confirm earlier reports from Hong Kong media, which indicated that this is the first time in the CCP’s history that such a role swap among Politburo members has occurred.
This change occurs amid a series of dramatic reshuffles in recent years at the upper echelons of the Party and the military, with more than a dozen senior commanders and defense industry leaders having been removed from their posts. Among those unseated were twoministers who were deemed to have close ties with Xi, fueling speculation about political infighting among the Party elites. Some analysts have argued that the series of personnel changes may indicate that Xi is facing challenges from factions within his own ranks.
State media did not provide reasons for the swapping of roles, which aligns with the opaque nature of China’s political system.
Shi, 68, had spent more than two decades at the Central Party School, where he was appointed vice president in 2002. From 2007, Shi worked alongside Xi, who was the president there for five years before becoming Party leader in late 2012.
By Dorothy Li
