China: Xi Jinping elected President for third term

Chinese leader Xi Jinping formally secured an unprecedented third term as China’s president on Friday as he embarked on a fresh five-year tenure, becoming country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. In a largely ceremonial display on expected lines, nearly 3000 members of China’s rubber-stamp parliament – the National People’s Congress (NPC) voted unanimously for Xi, 69 who was the only candidate in fray. Xi, who leads the ruling Communist Party, was also reappointed head of the national Central Military Commission. He was already the head of an identical party body overseeing the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Delegates to the 14th NPC also elected Zhao Leji, 66 as the new chairman of the parliament and Han Zheng, 68 as China’s new vice president. Delegates at the NPC will approve China’s new premier on Saturday which is widely thought to be Xi’s closest ally Li Qiang who will replace Li Keqiang to become China's No.2 leader, in-charge of managing the world's second-largest economy. Xi’s trusted allies will be appointed to key government roles over the next two days as the first session of the 14th NPC will come to an end on Monday.
Xi Jinping became the head of the ruling CPC and China’s President in 2013. Since then, Xi has tightened party’s grip over the country under “Xi Jinping Thought”. As he took over as the CPC head and Chinese President for the second time in 2018, he removed the term limit of two presidential terms by a constitutional amendment and paved way for his rule for life. Under Chinese government system, party leaders already occupy top government roles. Critics say, Xi has already purged his political adversaries from the party, the government and the military through his anti-corruption campaign in last 10 years.

Experts said, with Li Keqiang out of scene and Li Qiang heading the State Council – China’s cabinet, Xi will enjoy unbridled powers. This may lead to further blurring of the fine line between the CCP and the government as the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to significantly increase its direct control of the government.