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China: Xi Jinping Wins Record Third Term

    China: Xi Jinping Wins Record Third Term
    Last updated Mar 10, 2023
    Image credit: Associated Press

    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.

    Spin

    Pro-China narrative

    Xi Jinping is the man to lead China to glory just as he has been doing for the last decade. China has seen unprecedented innovation and modernization under Xi’s leadership, rising to the world’s second-largest economy. Xi has also helped eradicate poverty and build the largest education, social security, and healthcare systems in the world. Xi is the people’s president.

    Anti-China narrative

    China and its ruling party have completely desecrated themselves as Xi Jinping firmly took autocratic rule while NPC officials sycophantically clapped. Xi has only done things for himself and to consolidate his own power. Now, he will implement even more agencies to lie on his behalf about China’s numbers and promote propaganda for his regime.


    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

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