The Chinese Parliament has re-elected Xi Jinping as the country’s President and the Chairman of Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China today. This will be his second term in office.
It was announced at the ongoing session of the 13th National People’s Congress, the National Legislature of the People’s Republic of China according to media reports.
Earlier on March 11, the National People’s Congress passed a constitutional amendment to remove any term limits enabling Xi Jinping to hold presidential office well beyond 2023.
The Chinese legislature gave a near-unanimous approval to the sweeping changes, with 2,958 votes in favour, and only two votes against.
Considering the legislature to be packed by the loyalist of the Jinping’s governance, the re-election process went smoothly.
In addition to removing the term limits, the new Constitution paves the way for the establishment of a new anti-graft super agency, the National Supervisory Commission.
Further, Wang Qishan was elected Vice President of China during the on-going session.
A total of 21 items; four in the Preamble and 17 in the main body of the Constitution, were revised, with a new section inserted.
Xi, 64, has consolidated power since taking office as general secretary of the Communist Party in 2012.
He would have had to give up the presidency after the end of his second term in 2023, but he now has a lifetime to push his vision of making China a global powerhouse with a “world-class” military.