Xi Jinping maintains firm control over the Chinese Communist Party and military through ongoing purges of senior PLA officers that have consolidated his authority ahead of the 2027 Party Congress. Recent state activities, including his September 2026 summit with U.S. President Trump, National Day address, and directives on domestic security, underscore his active leadership at age 73 with no designated successor or signs of imminent transition. Trader consensus at 97% against removal before 2027 reflects this entrenched position and historical precedent of extended tenure. Unforeseen health events or elite factional challenges remain the primary low-probability risks that could still shift outcomes before the congress convenes.