Xi’s Casual Chats on Stage Show Closeness With New China Leaders
- President makes public display of easy manner with No. 2
- Chemistry with leader seen as potential strength for new team
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Xi Jinping’s casual chats with his top lieutenants on China’s most high-profile political stage Friday provided fresh evidence to theories of the strong chemistry among the country’s new leadership team.
Xi was spotted speaking with presumptive premier Li Qiang for more than 10 minutes on the Great Hall of the People’s main rostrum as voting got underway to give him an precedent-breaking third term as president. The 69-year-old leader repeatedly nodded as Li, his one-time personal secretary, spoke during the National People’s Congress session.