Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
Trending
'El Chapo'
Jussie Smollett
Plastic pollution
Trampoline break
Lottery
Syria troops
Jeffrey Epstein
Michael Cohen
Terror plot
Measles
Doorbell cam
World News
Feb. 25, 2018 / 8:58 AM

China's Communist Party sets stage for Xi to remain in power

By
Ben Hooper
The Communist Party of China is suggesting abolishing presidential term limits, clearing the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping to remain in power for many years to come. File Photo by Xie Huanchi/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The Communist Party of China has proposed ending presidential term limits, signaling President Xi Jinping plans to remain in power for years to come.

The state-run Xinhua news agency announced Sunday that the Central Committee of the Communist Party is suggesting constitutional amendments to be voted on by lawmakers when an annual legislative session convenes next month.

The proposals include plans to remove the clause in the constitution that limits presidents to serving for only two five-year terms.

Observers said the move signals President Xi Jinping, 64, intends to remain in power for many years after the end of his second term, which is due to end in 2023.

RELATED Chinese regulators seize Anbang Insurance; chief Wu to be tried for fraud

The Communist Party declared Xi as its greatest living theorist and appointed him to a second five-year term as head of the head party and took the unusual move of not identifying a likely successor, which was taken by many as an indication that Xi would seek to retain the presidency for more than two terms.

"I think this is without a doubt the clearest confirmation we've had yet that Xi Jinping plans to stay in power much longer than we thought," Jude Blanchette, a Beijing resident and political expert who works for company research body the Conference Board, told The New York Times of the Communist Party's latest announcement. "We should expect Xi Jinping to be the dominant political force in China for the next decade."

The move would enshrine Xi as China's longest-serving leader since Mao Zedong.

RELATED May to voice concerns over Hong Kong rights violations in China

"Xi wants to be like Mao," a Chinese official involved in decision-making told The Wall Street Journal. "With Wang Qishan as vice president, Xi can just focus on big strategic issues as the nation's paramount leader and let Wang take care of all those foreign trips and other affairs."

The legislature is expected to pass the proposal after the session begins March 1.

"I don't see any reasonable challenges for him," Beijing-based political analyst Wu Qiang, told the Times. "He has removed any potential political competitors."

RELATED Asia's difficult year ahead centers around China

  • Topics
  • Xi Jinping
  • Mao Zedong
  • Wang Qishan
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more UPI news and photos.

Trending Stories

2 sons of 'El Chapo' indicted by U.S. on drug conspiracy charges
Police: Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitutes
Judge: Prosecutors broke law by concealing Jeffrey Epstein plea deal
'Empire' producers cut Smollett from final 2 episodes over 'disturbing' charges
IRS analyst charged with leaking Michael Cohen's bank records

Photo Gallery

 
Beijing celebrates annual Lantern Festival

Latest News

Twins snag former Astros INF Marwin Gonzalez in free agency
Patient groups take big money from drug companies, study shows
Harris contracted for jammers for Navy F/A-18 aircraft
Escaped emu returned to Alabama farm after 12 days
Golfer's ball snatched out of the air by hungry alligator
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy