BEIJING—China removed its high-profile, reformist finance minister from the post in a shuffle that comes as President Xi Jinping positions trusted allies in key roles and Beijing prioritizes short-term growth over major overhauls. The shuffle put more senior government posts in the hands of Xi loyalists ahead of a twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress next fall that will shape policy for years to come. Mr....
President Xi Jinping has removed the high - profile , reformist finance minister , Lou Jiwei , as he looks to put loyalists in key positions . Jinping still faces areas of political resistance and wants to consolidate his power further , however there are concerns he is increasingly focusing on hitting growth targets and suppressing dissent , rather than tackling more urgent issues , such as improving the economy . “ Lou Jiwei ’s abrupt ouster sends a strong message that any prospects of even limited economic reforms are falling victim to President Xi ’s focus on consolidating his power , ” said Professor Eswar Prasad at Cornell University . This latest move follows the rare intervention in Hong Kong politics and a strategy to boost his power , despite the need to cut China 's air pollution .