Xi Jinping Now Holds Near-Absolute Power in China, Creating Risks

But investing so much power in Mr. Xi is a profound gamble. History is replete with examples of autocrats blinded by hubris and overreach after they surrounded themselves with subordinates afraid to report bad news. A Defiant Tone: At the opening of China's Communist Party congress, President Xi Jinping At the opening of China's Communist Party congress, President Xi Jinping defended his hard-line reign , presenting himself as a leader focused on securing the country's rise amid global threats. Moving Backward: A decade ago, many of China's political, business and intellectual elites hoped that Mr. Xi would usher in openness…