Xi Jinping maintains firm control over the Chinese Communist Party and military as of mid-2026, with ongoing anti-corruption purges—including investigations into senior figures like Zhang Youxia—reinforcing loyalty and eliminating potential rivals rather than signaling weakness. Term limits were abolished years earlier, no successor has been elevated to the Politburo Standing Committee, and recent gatherings such as the Beidaihe retreat continue to emphasize party discipline ahead of the 2027 congress. Trader consensus at 95.5% for Xi remaining in office reflects this institutional consolidation and absence of credible challenges. Late health developments, an unforeseen leadership crisis, or rapid factional realignment could still shift outcomes before the next congress, though verifiable evidence of such shifts remains limited.