"Events over the past year have demonstrated the inherent flaws of governance systems that allow power to be consolidated in the hands of a single individual," Paul Poast argues.
"I imagine part of this is to demonstrate at home to his domestic audience that he's doing big things for the Chinese people," Elizabeth Shackelford says.
The softening of COVID lockdowns in response to protests is a rare victory for popular pressure in China and could have unexpected consequences, argues Chris Morris.