Chinese President Xi Jinping stresseseconomic growth through innovation during his visit to the scientific andtechnological innovation building of Harbin in northeast China's HeilongjiangProvince on May 25./ Source: Xinhua News Agency

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By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - It seems a wide rift is developing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, who have entered into a power struggle level to seize control over the economic policy. Depending on the situation, the power struggle between the two top leaders in China may come to the surface.

Such assertion is not an exaggeration looking at the recent pace of the two leaders that are largely focused on economic sectors. In the case of Xi Jinping, he paid a three-day visit to Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from May 23 to 25, making his position clear about the economy, which is in charge of Premier Li. Xi said, "Although it's lagging behind, Northeast China was once the center of China's industrial base. It needs to seek a new development strategy through innovation."

Xi's statement may seem ritualistic at first. Considering the current atmosphere however, his statement was to criticize Li's poor performance in promoting the Northeast as he led the state's economic policy for the past four years. Besides, Xi showed his willingness to take full control of the economy.

"Ecology represents resources. Imprudent development is not good." This is Xi's another statement indirectly criticizing Li's quantitative growth-oriented policies and therefore creating distorted economic development as a result.

Premier Li Keqiang attends China Big Data Industry Summit in Hubei onMay 25./ Source: Xinhua News Agency

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Of course, Premier Li Keqiang is trying hard to avoid himself from being pushed out. Unlike the past, he advocated qualitative growth rather than quantitative one during his recent tour to Hubei province. His effort can be also seen in his attendance in China Big Data Industry Summit in Guiyang, where he expressed innovation and held talks with related industry officials. His move shows his willingness to be devoted to his role as a head of China's economic policy. We should say there is a clear reason for power struggle rumors between China's top leaders that are spreading in political world in Beijing.