Xi Jinping confirmed for third term

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been confirmed as secretary general for a third five-year term. At its first plenary session on Sunday, the Communist Party’s new Central Committee voted as expected to continue the 69-year-old’s rule. He thus ignores previously respected age and term limits.

At the end of the week’s session the day before, the party congress, which only takes place every five years, entrenched Xi Jinping’s ideology and his permanent leadership role even deeper into the party constitution, demanding unconditional loyalty.

New management team surprised

Xi Jinping then introduced his new leadership team with loyal followers. In the Politburo’s powerful new Standing Committee, Shanghai party leader Li Qiang surprisingly took second place on the podium. The selection of the 63-year-old suggests Xi Jinping’s closest confidant will become the new prime minister in March.

The party leader of the eastern Chinese port metropolis has been criticized for the chaotic course of the two-month corona lockdown, which has cast doubt on his appointment. He goes up to the inner circle of power.

Prime Minister is Retiring

The previous head of government, Li Keqiang, is retiring early and is no longer a member of the Central Committee, although he is only 67 years old. He will step down as prime minister at the annual session of the People’s Congress in March.

The new standing committee also includes the head of the powerful Disciplinary Committee, Zhao Leji, chief ideologue Wang Huning and Beijing party leader Cai Qi, chief of staff and close Xi confidant Ding Xuexiang, and party leader of the economically important Guangdong province, Li Xi. (SDA)