Loyalty above all: Removal of top Chinese officials seen as enforcing Xi’s demand for obedience

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FILE - Newly elected Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu takes his oath during a session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 12, 2023. China has replaced Defense Minister Gen. Li, who has been out of public view for almost two months with little explanation, state media reported Tuesday, Oct. 24. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) TAIPEI – The removal of China’s foreign and defense ministers appears to enforce leader Xi Jinping’s demand for total obedience and the elimination of any potential rivals within the ruling Communist Party, analysts say....