Xi Jinping secures 3rd term as Chinese president amid unprecedented protests

Chinese President Xi Jinping seen during a Communist Party congress.
(Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Chinese President Xi Jinping formally secured a third term as his country's paramount leader on Sunday, an unprecedented move that secures his power over the ruling Communist Party and paints him as China's most notable strongman since Mao Zedong.

Xi was unanimously chosen to serve a third five-year term as president. However, this may turn out to be nothing more than a formality, as term limits were removed from China's constitution in 2018. While there are technically mandatory retirement ages enshrined in the law, Xi's third term puts him in a position where he may potentially move to remain president for life, Politico reported.

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.