Rumors have resurfaced on the future of the Chinese leadership, and if any of them are to be believed, big changes are in the works. Conflicting sources have suggested a variety of prospects for Wang Qishan — the anti-corruption czar who is widely seen as Chinese President Xi Jinping's closest aide — and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. The rumor mill was set turning by the secret gathering at the Beidaihe summer resort, which reportedly drew to a close last week. For decades, the annual beach meeting of senior party officials and Communist elders around July and August has served as a metric for assessing the often-opaque Chinese political landscape, as well as key personnel arrangements. This is particularly true as China's Communist elites approach their landmark leadership transition at the 19th Party Congress , slated for early November. Wang Qishan is rumored to be stepping down in the transition.