TOKYO -- The palace intrigue is thickening in Beijing, where the country's powerful leader has taken a new tack to undermine some remaining political rivals.
This time, the salvos were not delivered by Wang Qishan, head of the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Up to now, Wang has been President Xi Jinping's political henchman, leveling corruption charges against politicians and other figures loyal to retired party bosses.