Xi Jinping’s entrenched authority, reinforced by extensive purges of senior military and party figures through mid-2026, underpins the overwhelming trader consensus that he will remain in power through the end of 2026. Recent developments, including the removal of multiple Central Military Commission members and ongoing ideological rectification campaigns, have eliminated visible rivals and signaled continued emphasis on personal loyalty over institutional norms. With the 21st Party Congress scheduled for late 2027 positioned as the venue for his expected fourth term, no public statements, elite defections, or structural pressures point to an earlier exit. While sudden health developments or an unforeseen crisis could still alter timelines, the absence of any credible challenge sustains the elevated probability assigned to continuity.