Xi Jinping's firm grip on the Chinese Communist Party, reinforced by extensive purges of senior officials and military leaders in the lead-up to and during the October 2026 fifth plenum, underpins trader expectations that he will retain power through at least 2027. The plenum set the 21st Party Congress for the second half of 2027, where analysts anticipate formal extension of his leadership for a fourth term, consistent with the 2018 removal of presidential term limits and repeated emphasis in state media on unity around his core status. Record expulsions, including multiple Politburo and Central Military Commission figures, have thinned potential rivals and centralized authority, leaving few indications of an imminent transition or successor. While this setup supports sustained continuity, realistic shifts could arise from sudden health developments, unforeseen internal fractures, or major external shocks that erode elite cohesion before the congress.