China votes to make Xi Jinping ruler for life
Near unanimous vote clears the way to end presidential term limits
China’s Communist Party has voted through changes to its constitution abolishing presidential term limits, opening up the possibility Xi Jinping could rule for life.
The controversial measures, first announced last month, were passed by the National People’s Congress. They included amendments which add a political philosophy called, called Xi Jinping Thought, to the constitution and the creation of politically driven “supervisory commissions”, which has been given the task of investigating party members – all aimed to shore up Xi’s supremacy.
Of the 2,964 delegates only two voted against abolishing term limits, with three abstentions, “a small hint of the outrage the move has caused in some liberal circles”, says The Guardian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There have also been rumblings of dissent outside the upper echelons of the party. Online censors have been blocking discussion of the topic, including images of Winnie the Pooh, after social media users began using the cartoon character to represent Xi.
“It is now hard to see Xi Jinping being challenged in any way whatsoever. He has amassed power the likes of which has not been seen since Chairman Mao Zedong,” says the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell.
Xi is widely regarded as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao, yet critics see worrying parallels with the former communist dictator.
Term limits were first introduced in 1982 to prevent a repeat of the horrors of the Mao era – and opponents call the decision to scrap them “a calamity that risks plunging China into a new age of political turbulence and one-man dictatorship”, reports the Guardian.
Axios contributor Bill Bishop says: “Xi is working to obliterate any boundaries between party and state and to reinsert the Communist Party of China (CPC) into all aspects of China's economy and society — all while ensuring he's the unchallenged embodiment of the CPC.”
“The end result will be Xi's complete dominion over all parts of Chinese government and society,” he adds.
But some critics say the move is could also make Xi “politically vulnerable in the long run”, reports CNN.
Li Datong, a former editor of the state-run China Youth Daily newspaper and one of the few voices of open opposition told the broadcaster: “The top leader’s term limits are the biggest common denominator shared by all political forces in China. Its removal could trigger political infighting - that’s why this move is dangerous.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
'A stark choice'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Vietnamese migrants crossing the Channel
The Explainer 2024 has seen a surge in the numbers of Vietnamese migrants making the illegal passage into the UK
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published