BEIJING: Chinese leader Jinping on Friday endorsed as the president for the third time by the Communist Parties in a ceremonial vote at the Great Hall of the People. With this, 69-year-old Xi has emerged as China’s most dominant leader in decades, rivaling in stature the iconic Mao Zedong.
2,952 choreographed his reelection during the ongoing session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament –the National People’s Congress (NPC). There was no other candidate. Mr. Xi’s power comes from him being General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). He was handed both posts at a party congress last October.
He also gained another term as the chairman of the CMC of the People’s Republic of China. There are two CMCs in the country – one is a party organization while another is a state institution – but their makeup is usually the same.
69-year-old Xi has weathered widespread protests over his ZERO COVID Policy and deaths. during the pandemic. The country is also facing a falling birth rate that threatens its economic growth engine.
The so-called Two Sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this week are closely watched as it provides a glimpse into China’s direction in the coming years. Other appointments, including vice premiers and central bank governor, are expected over the weekend.
The ongoing NPC session will end on Monday, March 13, when Xi will deliver a speech, followed by a media question-and-answer session by Li, his first as China’s Premier.