By Kevin Zhang
China’s President Xi Jinping has secured an unprecedented third term as the leader of the Communist Party, cementing his place as the most influential Chinese leader since Mao Zedong.
The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elected Xi as its general secretary for a historic third five-year term on Sunday, tilting the country decisively towards authoritarian one-man dictatorship after decades of de-facto oligarchy. Xi is now fully expected to receive a third term as China’s president, which is set to be formally announced during the government’s annual legislative sessions in March next year.
The CCP also named a seven-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) led by Xi, with its inner circle of power being filled by notable allies of the party leader.
Xi introduced the new lineup, walking at the head of the group as he lead them onto the stage at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People to meet with reporters.
He was followed by Shanghai Communist Party chief Li Qiang, meaning it is likely that he will succeed Li Keqiang as premier when Keqiang retires in March next year. The other members of the PSC are Zhao Leji and Wang Huning, returning members, and newcomers Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.
“I wish to thank the whole party sincerely for the trust you have placed in us.” Xi said following his appointment to a third term. He promised to “work diligently in the performance of our duties to prove worthy of the great trust of our party and our people”.
All of the PSC’s new members are perceived to have strong loyalty to Xi. This lopsided victory for one faction is a rare abnormality in the politics of the Chinese Communist Party, which has tended to maintain a balance of power in the past. This means that Xi Jinping has control over the majority of the Politburo and Central Committee.
