Xi Jinping secures third term as president

OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 8:57 AM – Friday, March 10, 2023

Xi Jinping, China’s leader, was re-elected to a third term as its president on Friday. He is now on track to stay in power for the rest of his life.

National People’s Congress voted 2,952 against 0 to allow Xi remain as leader. The ruling party appoints members of the NPC, in this instance, Xi.

It was expected, as Xi had sidedlined his rivals and filled in the top ranks at the ruling Communist Party with his support since he assumed power in 2012. In October, the Chinese leader had also been elected to a third five years term as party general secretary.

Xi had violated the Chinese tradition of leaders resigning once every ten years. This limit meant that leaders could only serve two five-year terms. The Chinese Constitution removed the limit of two terms on the presidency, indicating that Xi intends to remain in office for the rest of his life.

NPC members were given a ballot in 2013 with one option. Only one option was available: his name. Reporters and the general public did not see the results of the election that granted Xi his third mandate.

Xi was also named head of Central Military Commission, which oversees the People’s Liberation Army of the party which consists two million members.

Other key leaders were also appointed by the NPC, including Zhao Leji, who was to be the body’s head and Han Zheng, who would be its vice-president.

Li Qiang is expected to be selected as China’s premier. He was a protegee under the Chinese leader. Although the traditional role of the premier was to manage the economy, Xi has taken the majority of decision-making.

Xi and the newly appointed Chinese officials took a public oath of allegiance in the Great Hall of the People.

After the ceremony, Xi gave his remarks, in which he blamed America for containing and suppressing them, which led to the domestic problems they now face.

“Western countries led by the United States have contained and suppressed us in an all-round way, which has brought unprecedented severe challenges to our development,” Xi spoke.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, congratulated Xi upon his continued extended term.

“I am confident that working together, we will ensure the further growth of fruitful Russian-Chinese cooperation in various fields,” Putin spoke.

He also thanked Xi personally for his contribution. “to strengthening relations of comprehensive cooperation and strategic interaction” Between the two countries.

For more than ten consecutive years, no one had been the head of the state in China. This includes Mao Zedong who is the founding father of Communist China.