Resolves YES if the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) keeps the so-called “seven up, eight down” rule. Resolves NO if they break it.
Please note Xi Jinping should not be treated as an ordinary PSC member.
“Seven Up, Eight Down” Rule:
Since 2002, no PSC member has been reappointed at age 68 or beyond, or retired at age 67 or younger. New PSC entrants almost always come from the wider 25-member Politburo, where retirement has likewise been enforced at age 68 (though some officials have retired early, unlike in the PSC). In addition, a provisional rule issued in 2006 stipulates that officials should stay no longer than two five-year terms in a single position.
For ordinary PSC members, the age norms are clearer. Assuming rule is upheld, Li Keqiang (67) and Wang Yang (67) should both stay on the PSC, as should Wang Huning (67) and Zhao Leji (65). But Li Zhanshu (72) and Han Zheng (68) should both retire, vacating two PSC spots.
The top two candidates for those vacancies are Hu Chunhua (59) and Chen Min’er (62), given their seniority on the Politburo and factional ties. You may find markets related as below,
1,000
3.00Li Keqiang (67), Wang Yang (67), Li Zhanshu (72) and Han Zheng (68) both not listed in the member list of the Central Committee released today, vacating four PSC spots.
@stormtk293 Notice how Hu is the only person not clapping in one of the above photos? I wonder if it was some sort of immediate retaliation.
Recent CCP guidance seems to have scraped all mention of age limitations in Party promotion criteria.