Chinese history as Xi Jinping wins third term – breaking decades-old precedent | World news

History has been made in China after it was confirmed that President Xi Jinping will remain in power – breaking a decade of precedent that has limited the powers of Chinese leaders.

Correcting China already 10 years, he will now stay for at least another five years – and could theoretically become a lifetime leader.

The break with tradition makes him China’s most powerful leader since Chairman Mao, and his vision is increasingly unchallenged.

Confirmation came at the end week-long 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China.

This event is held once every five years, the main purpose of which is to select the people who will occupy the top management positions for the next five years.

This includes two groups seen as the pinnacle of political power in China – the 25-member Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee, which currently consists of seven members, including the president.

The new Standing Committee was shown as President Si brought them to the stage in order of rank. His leadership of the march served as confirmation that he would remain the party’s general secretary. His official confirmation as president will take place in March.

The two-term limit for Chinese presidents was introduced in the early 1980s after the death of Chairman Mao.

Mao’s nearly 30-year rule brought great chaos, violence and instability to China – and the idea was to move to a more “collective leadership” model and ensure that power would never again be so centralized in the hands of one man.

But in 2018, President Xi successfully removed the two-term limit from the constitution – paving the way for the consolidation of power we saw this weekend.

Other constitutional amendments were introduced this week to further emphasize President Xi’s “core” status at the center of the party.

Changes in the Standing Committee of the Politburo also show that it is becoming more unhindered.

Two figures in particular, Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, stand out for being demoted to the Standing Committee. Both are young enough to serve another term and are reportedly more reform-minded, but neither is considered a major supporter of President Xi.

His consolidated position means a lot in China and around the world because it means his vision for the country will be preserved.

Under his leadership, China became increasingly wealthy and powerful. His ultra-nationalist vision made him more assertive on the foreign stage and unerring about his dominance.

But during his ten years in power, President Xi has also centralized a significant portion of power in the state and the party under his control. He purged opponents and stifled dissent.

People in China are subject to increasingly harsh surveillance and censorship, while journalists, lawyers and civil society groups are largely silenced.

Experts say it will now take a political earthquake to topple him, which looks increasingly unlikely.