Facts

• Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping has achieved an unprecedented third five-year term as China’s leader after the National People’s Congress (NPC) voted for him unanimously 2,952 to 0 on Friday.
• Xi ran unopposed and had named himself to a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, despite Chinese leaders traditionally handing over power once every decade.
• In addition to extending his presidency, Xi was unanimously named commander of the People's Liberation Army, the formal name for China’s military. Unlike many other countries, Chinese armed forces are led by the ruling party.
• Following the abolishment of presidential term limits in 2018, many believe that 69-year-old Xi’s election puts him on a path to lifetime rule in China as the nation faces a myriad of challenges including recovery from the zero-COVID policies and diplomatic tensions with the US and West.
• Xi-approved officials are set to be appointed or elected to top positions over the next two days. Notably, Li Qiang is expected to be named as premier – China’s second-highest position – making him responsible for managing the world’s second largest economy.
• This comes as the NPC on Friday also approved major reforms, including the formation of a financial regulatory body and national data bureau and a revamp of its science and technology ministry.