Chinese President Xi Jinping secured an unusual third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party, the country’s most powerful position, after a weeklong Party congress session that ended on Sunday, according to Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency.
With Xi as China’s unchallenged leader for another five-year term, Beijing is likely to continue its current trajectory of confrontation with the West.
- Xi, 69, has surpassed the informal retirement age of 68 and could be in a position for life-long rule.
- His selection paves the way for him to again be named the country’s president at the annual legislative session in March.
- During the meeting, some key Communist party leaders retired from the powerful seven-member Politburo standing committee — and several of Xi’s closest allies and proteges were instated.
- Premier Li Keqiang — China’s second-highest ranking leader — and Wang Yang both retired, even though they were eligible for another five-year term. Li and Wang were not viewed as being close Xi allies.
- Shanghai party secretary Li Qiang was appointed to the standing committee and is considered a frontrunner to be named premier, the country’s second-highest position, at a meeting next March. Li was in charge of Shanghai during its heavily criticized lockdown earlier this year, making his ongoing position heavily dependent on Xi’s support.
- The full membership roster of the new standing committee is Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.
- The Party constitution was also amended to enshrine Xi as the “core” leader.
