An article published by Xinhua state news agency Thursday alleges that the three men bribed party members to vote for certain candidates in 2007 and 2012, potentially threatening Xi’s ascension to the party’s top spot. The lengthy Xinhua article follows a twice-a-decade political meeting where Xi secured a second five-year term at the head of the party and became the most powerful Chinese leader in decades. Xi’s re-election were decided by “unanimous vote,” according to the party, but what that “voting” process really entails is murky. “Such elections saw votes determined by ‘guanxi’ (connections) and personal favors.”The voting system was introduced in 2007 as a move toward an “internal democracy” within the party. “From April to June, Xi personally talked to 57 senior leaders and retired leaders to seek their suggestions,” it said.

Source: Manila Times October 27, 2017 11:15 UTC