With Grip on Power Assured, China’s Xi Elevates Lieutenants

President, inner circle look to shore up a sluggish economy, eradicate poverty and enhance country’s global standing amid threat of trade war with U.S.

BEIJING—Cleared to stay in power indefinitely, Chinese President Xi Jinping has discarded the leadership structure he inherited and is kicking off his second term with a handpicked team of trusted lieutenants.

For the next five years, Mr. Xi will look to his inner circle to shore up a sluggish economy, eradicate poverty and enhance China’s global standing—while shielding his ambitious agenda from being derailed by rocky relations with the U.S.

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