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Happy Monday. This story from Tom Mitchell of the Financial Times stood out--China’s Xi Jinping says he is opposed to life-long rule - FT $$:

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that he is “personally opposed” to life-long rule, adding that foreign observers have “misinterpreted” a recent constitutional amendment that revoked the two-term limit on the presidency. 

Mr Xi expressed his views at three recent meetings with foreign dignitaries and Chinese officials, according to people who either attended the meetings or were briefed on the discussions. 

They added that Mr Xi justified the decision in terms of needing to align the country’s three top government and Communist party jobs. Mr Xi’s two more powerful posts — party general secretary and chairmanship of the party’s Central Military Commission — are not subject to term limits. 

When I lived in Beijing I sometimes met with the foreign VIPs who were making the rounds of Zhongnanhai. It was always fascinating to hear the messages they …