Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping continues to strengthen his power over China – after a week’s congress it is clear: he will lead the People’s Republic for at least another five years. At its first plenary session on Sunday in Beijing, the new Communist Party Central Committee voted as expected for a third term for the 69-year-old as general secretary and head of the military commission. He thus ignores previously respected age and term limits.
With his sole rule, Xi joins the founder of the state and revolutionary Mao Zedong, who brought chaos to the country. At the end of the week before, the day before, the party congress, which only takes place every five years, anchored Xi’s ideology and his permanent leadership role deeper in the party constitution, calling for unconditional loyalty.
At a press conference after the Central Committee meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Xi introduced his new leadership team, which he has recruited loyal followers.
New head of government responsible for corona chaos
Shanghai party leader Li Qiang surprisingly took second place on the podium in the Politburo’s powerful seven-member Standing Committee. The 63-year-old’s rise suggests Xi’s closest confidant will become the new prime minister in March. The party leader of the East Chinese port metropolis has been heavily criticized for the chaotic course of the two-month corona lockdown in Shanghai.
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. At the annual meeting of the People’s Congress in March, he already announced his intention to step down as prime minister. He belonged to a different party camp than Xi, fueling speculation about differences. Also, as head of government, Li never had the same power as his predecessors.
New heads in the inner circle
In addition to Xi, the new Standing Committee also includes the head of the powerful Disciplinary Commission, Zhao Leji (65), and the chief ideologue Wang Huning. The expectation was that the 67-year-old could become the new head of parliament and thus the number two in the state in March. In addition to the Shanghai party leader, newcomers to the inner circle are Beijing counterpart Cai Qi (66), Xi’s chief of staff and closest confidant, Ding Xuexiang (60), and the party leader of important Guangdong province, Li Xi (66).
Economic team is being restructured
Despite the uncertain economic times in China, the new Central Committee, which has 370 members and candidates, is missing key members of the previous economic team, although not all have reached the age limit. In addition to Deputy Prime Minister Liu He (70), younger executives such as Central Bank Governor Yi Gang (64), Finance Minister Liu Kun (65) and the head of banking supervision Guo Shuqing (66) are no longer represented and are therefore likely to step down in the government reshuffle in March.
According to China experts, the special leadership role of Deputy Prime Minister Liu He (70), who led the negotiations in the ongoing trade war with the US, would be the economic expert and the current head of the influential Reform and Development Commission (NDRC). ), He Lifeng (67). , taking over.
Age limits are often no obstacle
Despite his age, Foreign Minister Wang Yi (69) remains a member of the new Central Committee. That suggests the senior diplomat could replace 72-year-old Yang Jiechi as the party’s state councilor and top foreign policy official, pointing to continuity. Apparently there are also no age limits for the deputy army chief, General Zhang Youxia: Xi’s 72-year-old confidant has been confirmed as deputy head of the military commission.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
