West News Wire: On Sunday, Xi Jinping was chosen to serve a third term as the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) supremo. As a result, he will have led Beijing for the longest period of time since Mao Zedong.
As the head of the Central Military Commission, the highest defense authority in command of the People’s Liberation Army, Xi will continue to serve as president for another five years.
In China, the chairman of the Central Military Commission and the leader or general secretary of the CCP are regarded as having more significance than the president, who holds mostly ceremonial duties. It is also held by Xi Jinping, and many believe he will continue to hold it next year.
The Central Committee also picked members of the new Politburo Standing Committee, China’s most powerful decision-making body, which comprises seven people. Along with Xi Jinping, the committee will also consist of Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Li Xi and Ding Xuexiang all of whom are described as allies of the president.
Xi introduced the new members of the Politburo Standing Committee as he led them onto the stage at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People to meet the press.
“I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us,” Xi said, promising that his team would “work diligently” to prove “worthy of the great trust of our party and our people.”
Xi’s reelection came after a weeklong 20th National Congress of the CCP concluded in Beijing on Saturday. Congress delegates approved amendments to its constitution, which reiterated its opposition to Taiwanese independence and confirmed plans to enhance China’s military potential.
Meanwhile, as Xi secured an unprecedented third term, an unusual incident at the closing session of the Congress attracted public attention. Videos posted on social media appeared to show former Chinese president Hu Jintao reluctantly leaving a key meeting after being urged to do so by two men.
Some Western media reported that Hu, who was apparently opposed to Xi’s re-election, was “escorted out” of the Congress. However, Chinese media insisted that the former leader “was not feeling well” and had to take a rest.
The last CCP official to rule China for more than two terms was Mao Zedong, who served as the party’s chairman between 1943 and 1976.
