 | | Every summer, typically in the early days of August, China's top leaders disappear from the news. This is an indication that they are gathered in the beach resort of Beidaihe in Hebei Province for their annual conclave, where incumbent and retired officials discuss the course of the country.
With reports of President Xi Jinping visiting the north on Wednesday and Premier Li Keqiang visiting the south on Tuesday, one can assume that the secretive meeting is over.
We won't know what was discussed for a while, perhaps for years. But with the gathering coming ahead of the twice-a-decade Communist Party national congress this autumn, we do know the meeting was crucial.
With Xi likely securing a rare third term as leader, all eyes are on the position of premier. One name receiving particular attention is Vice Premier Hu Chunhua.
Last month, he penned an article for the People's Daily praising Xi's leadership on agricultural policy, mentioning the leader's name more than 50 times. Read more.
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