Xi Jinping secures third term as China’s leader

Xi Jinping, Chinese president, has been confirmed as leader of the country for a third term.

On Saturday, at the 20th party congress, the most important meeting of the ruling Chinese Communist, about 2,400 delegates came together in Beijing to determine major reshuffles and constitutional changes before its official close on Saturday.

Xi, who has been in power over a decade, was elected the party’s general secretary for another five-year term, bringing the country back towards one-man rule after several years of power-sharing among its elite.

The 69-year-old Communist leader was also reappointed head of China’s central military commission, keeping him in charge of the People’s Liberation Army.

The development confirms the re-emergence of Xi as the country’s president for the third term.

Xi had abolished the presidential two-term limit in 2018, paving the way for him to govern indefinitely.

The announcement is expected to take place during the government’s annual legislative sessions in March.

Speaking on Sunday after the event, Xi said after 40 years of intensive development, the country can boast of rapid economic growth and long-term stability. 

He also emphasised the need for the country to keep room for relationships open, adding that the world cannot do without China.

“China’s development can’t leave the world and the world’s development also needs China,” Xi said.

“After more than 40 years of unflagging efforts towards reform and opening up, we have created two miracles — rapid economic development and long-term social stability.”

Xi also unveiled six of his loyalists as members of Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), China’s most powerful political body, as they walked on stage in order of rank.

The members of the PSC include Xi are Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi.

According to the Guardian, for the first time in 25 years, the new Politburo contains no women as members.