BEIJING – China’s crucial party congress has concluded, paving the way for President Xi Jinping (69) to be installed as ‘sovereign’. Xi may serve for life, having amended the 12th Congress (1982) during Deng Xiaoping’s time to prevent a person serving more than two terms as president to avoid centralization of power. The party congress approved the amendment to the party constitution. The constitutional amendment is to declare Xi Jinping as ‘sovereign’ in the party. Xi Jinping called on the delegates to triangulate the crisis, to work hard and move towards victory.
According to the constitution of the 12th Congress, Xi’s predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao stepped down after 10 years, but Xi remained in power through an amendment. The party congress also served as a platform for the demotion of elites except for Xi, who completed 10 years in power. The second-ranking Prime Minister Li Keqiang (67) did not make it to the 200-member Central Committee. Xi Jinping interacted with senior leaders at the seven-day Party Congress.
With 9.6 crore members, the Chinese Communist Party is led by a 200-member Central Committee and a 25-member Politburo. Standing Committee consisting of 7 members of the Politburo is the crucial center of power. The Politburo and the Standing Committee are elected by the Party Congress. The Standing Committee elects the leader of the Chinese Communist Party. The official announcement of Xi Jinping’s election as president for the third time will be made on Sunday. An official announcement may be made soon regarding important leaders including the Standing Committee
Chinese President Xi Jinping at the closing stage of the Party Congress :(Photo by Noel CELIS / AFP)
Xi Jinping announced at the Party Congress that if force is needed to annex Taiwan, he will not hesitate to do so. Xi Jinping stated that China will make sincere efforts for peaceful reunification but will not give up its right to use force. Following this, the party decided to incorporate the resolution presented about resolutely opposing and preventing ‘separatists’ who want Taiwan’s independence into the constitution.
English Summary: Xi Jinping’s path to third term sealed at China National Congress