Monday, October 30, 2023

China’s Parliament Supports Xi Jinping’s Third Presidential Term

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Xi Jinping has secured an unprecedented third term as China’s president, a role that is largely ceremonial but still holds significant power. This move puts him on track to remain in power for the rest of his life, as he has already sidelined potential challengers and filled the party’s top ranks with his supporters since taking power in 2012.

The decision was made by the nearly 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s largely ceremonial parliament. They voted unanimously for Xi after the constitution was changed to remove the traditional two-term limit for the post. However, there were reportedly no other candidates for the position, and the process remains shrouded in secrecy.

During the voting process, the NPC cast 2,952 votes for Xi over about an hour, with no one voting against him. In addition to his third term as president, Xi also secured unanimous backing for a third term as chairman of the country’s Central Military Commission.

Since taking power in 2012, Xi has been known for sidelining any potential challengers and filling the party with his supporters. This has turned him into China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. In fact, he had himself named for a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, breaking with a tradition under which Chinese leaders handed over power once a decade.

In other NPC votes, Han Zheng was chosen as the new vice president and Zhao Leji as the new parliament chair. Both men were from Xi’s previous team of party leaders at the Politburo Standing Committee.

Overall, Xi’s continued consolidation of power has raised concerns among some observers about the potential for abuse of power and lack of checks and balances within the Chinese political system. However, others argue that Xi’s leadership has brought stability and economic growth to China, and that his continued rule may be necessary for the country’s continued success on the world stage.

Regardless of one’s opinion on Xi’s leadership, it is clear that he will continue to hold significant power in China for the foreseeable future. His third term as president, combined with his other positions of authority within the party and military, make him one of the most powerful leaders in modern Chinese history.

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