CHINA: An unprecedented third term was begun by Xi Jinping as China’s president, strengthening his grip amid augmenting tensions with the US and worsening economic problems in China, as well as the pressures in light of Washington’s export controls on semiconductors, accusations of spying, and scrutiny of Beijing’s friendship with Moscow.
Jinping is now China’s most powerful leader after Mao Zedong, as he was sworn in as head of state for the next five years at the solemn ceremony at Beijing’s Great Hall.
Han Zheng was also appointed as the vice president. He had earlier been the vice premier. Zhao Leji, a close ally of Jinping who was earlier the head of the party’s tough international investigation agency, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, would be the new chair.
2,952 votes were in favor of Xi’s appointment and zero were against the National People’s Congress meeting, which is China’s rubber-stamp parliament supported by the Party.
Xi’s position as the third President of China comes after he abolished two-term limits on the presidency, permitting him to resume office for life if he wants to.
Jinping pledged to put in a lot of effort to create a modern socialist nation that is prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and beautiful. The oath was followed by the Chinese National Anthem and an honor guard, who carried a copy of the Constitution into the Great Hall of the People.
The formal appointment was ceremonial, where Jinping secured office as China’s Communist Party leader and leader of the military at the party congress in October.
Professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California, Minxin Pei, claims that the deterioration of China’s relations with the US over the previous ten years “is actually the largest change.”
Professor asked “How can he rebalance, how can he make people more positive while saying there is this giant, nasty opponent out there trying to choke us off?”
Vladimir Putin congratulated Jinping for his “personal contribution” to strengthening the countries’ “comprehensive partnership” and ensuring “fruitful Russian-Chinese cooperation.”
Wu Qiang, the independent political commentator in Beijing, mentioned that “with all of Xi’s people in the standing committee and top positions, Han Zheng will live under Xi’s shadow and play a very limited role.”
Also Read: China Conducts Research on Ukraine War, Worries over US Missiles and Starlink
