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| Xi Jinping begins historic third term as China's president | Xi Jinping begins historic third term as China's president |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| China's leader Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as president from the country's rubber-stamp parliament. | China's leader Xi Jinping has secured a historic third term as president from the country's rubber-stamp parliament. |
| It follows a consolidation of power that has made Mr Xi, 69, China's most dominant leader in generations. | It follows a consolidation of power that has made Mr Xi, 69, China's most dominant leader in generations. |
| In the Chinese system of governance, the functions of the president are largely ceremonial. | In the Chinese system of governance, the functions of the president are largely ceremonial. |
| Mr Xi's power comes from him being General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). | Mr Xi's power comes from him being General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). |
| He was handed both posts at a party congress last October. | He was handed both posts at a party congress last October. |
| Confirmation of his third term as president had been widely expected. The naming of a new premier and various ministers in the coming days is considered more important. | Confirmation of his third term as president had been widely expected. The naming of a new premier and various ministers in the coming days is considered more important. |
| The new appointees are mostly expected to be Xi Jinping loyalists. This includes Li Qiang, who is tipped to serve as Mr Xi's number two. | The new appointees are mostly expected to be Xi Jinping loyalists. This includes Li Qiang, who is tipped to serve as Mr Xi's number two. |
| On Friday, Mr Xi has also gained another term as the chairman of the CMC of the People's Republic of China. There are two CMCs in the country - one is a party organisation while another is a state institution - but their make-up is usually the same. | On Friday, Mr Xi has also gained another term as the chairman of the CMC of the People's Republic of China. There are two CMCs in the country - one is a party organisation while another is a state institution - but their make-up is usually the same. |
| Mr Xi has solidified his rule as China reopens from his bruising zero-Covid policy that has fuelled anti-government protests. The country is also facing a falling birth rate that threatens its economic growth engine. | Mr Xi has solidified his rule as China reopens from his bruising zero-Covid policy that has fuelled anti-government protests. The country is also facing a falling birth rate that threatens its economic growth engine. |
| Ties between Beijing and Washington remain testy, recently highlighted by allegations China had been spying on the US with balloons. | Ties between Beijing and Washington remain testy, recently highlighted by allegations China had been spying on the US with balloons. |
| "Whether a strengthened Xi and increasing centralisation is sufficient to overcome these problems - or perhaps make them worse - is unknown and perhaps not knowable at present," Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University Singapore, told the BBC. | |
| "In a sense, Xi is betting that centralisation under the party with him at the helm is a solution to these disparate issues," he said. | "In a sense, Xi is betting that centralisation under the party with him at the helm is a solution to these disparate issues," he said. |
| WATCH: Why China's president gets two teacups...in 59 seconds | |
| WATCH: Why China's president gets two teacups...in 59 seconds | |
| The so-called Two Sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this week is closely watched as it provides a glimpse into China's direction in the coming years. | The so-called Two Sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) this week is closely watched as it provides a glimpse into China's direction in the coming years. |
| Since Mao Zedong, leaders in China had been limited to two terms in office. When Mr Xi had this restriction changed in 2018, it transformed him into a figure with a reach not seen since Chairman Mao. | Since Mao Zedong, leaders in China had been limited to two terms in office. When Mr Xi had this restriction changed in 2018, it transformed him into a figure with a reach not seen since Chairman Mao. |
| Also on Friday, the national legislature appointed Han Zheng, a 68-year-old former Politburo Standing Committee member, as vice president. | Also on Friday, the national legislature appointed Han Zheng, a 68-year-old former Politburo Standing Committee member, as vice president. |
| The importance of the position varies since its functions are not fully defined. However, the last vice president, Wang Qishan, fronted Mr Xi's anti-corruption campaign, Chong said. | The importance of the position varies since its functions are not fully defined. However, the last vice president, Wang Qishan, fronted Mr Xi's anti-corruption campaign, Chong said. |
| Chances are that Mr Han will follow Mr Xi's direction closely and enforce the president's policies as necessary, he added. | Chances are that Mr Han will follow Mr Xi's direction closely and enforce the president's policies as necessary, he added. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Xi Jinping | Xi Jinping |
| Asia | Asia |
| China | China |