Chinese Parliament unanimously re-elects President Xi Jinping for second term
Xi Jinping has been re-elected as the President of China for a second five-year tenure by the country's rubber-stamp parliament, National People's Congress (NPC), days after it scrapped the two-term rule for the Presidency, allowing him to have a life-long tenure. Xi was also elected as the head of the powerful Central Military Commission, the overall high command of the Chinese military. Here's more.
NPC votes in favor of ruling CPC's proposal
On 11 March, over 2900 deputies of the NPC have voted for the constitutional amendment for removing the two-term limit for President and Vice President proposed by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). Originally, Xi is set to retire by 2023 as head of the CPC, the military, and Presidency following a two-term limit followed by his predecessors. He became president in 2013.
The two-term Presidency limit
The two-term limit for the Presidency was adopted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) after Mao Zedong's death to ensure collective leadership to avert mistakes like the dreaded Cultural Revolution in which millions were killed.
Vice President Wang Qishan also elected for second tenure
While Xi was elected unanimously, Vice President Wang Qishan was elected with 2969, one vote against. Wang is the most feared official in China as he carried out the anti-corruption campaign for the past five years initiated by Xi in which over 1.5 million officials including over 100 ministers and top generals were punished making it the biggest such crackdown in China's recent history.
New set of officials for all top posts
Except for Premier Li Keqiang, all the top posts, including the entire cabinet beside Governor of the Central Bank, will be a new set of officials. The line-up of the new government will be announced today, the South China Morning Post reported.
Elevation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi to State Councilor
From India's perspective for the new officials, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi was widely expected to be elevated to State Councilor making him China's top diplomat. The elevation will entail him to become China's Special Representative for India-China boundary talks. The post is currently held by Yang Jiechi, who has been elevated to the politburo, the top policy body of the ruling CPC.
