Xi Jinping, has succeeded to rule over China indefinitely, after politicians abolished presidential term limits and stay in power for years to come. This sparking fears of a dangerous path to dictatorship.
Nearly 3,000 members of China’s National People’s Congress voted the highly controversial constitutional amendment through during a Sunday afternoon session at the Great Hall of the People an imposing Mao-era theatre on the western fringe of Tiananmen Square.
Sunday’s vote to remove term limits from the Chinese presidency, thus allowing the incumbent Xi to rule beyond his erstwhile 2023 retirement date and possibly for life was passed by 2,958 votes in favor, with just two against and three abstentions.
“I can now announce that the proposals to amend the constitution of the People’s Republic of China has passed,” an announcer proclaimed, sparking a 20-second burst of applause.
The 64-year-old Xi, already hailed as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, last week gave a ringing endorsement to the proposed constitutional changes, calling them a reflection of the “common will of the party and the people.”
Yuan Weixia, a delegate from Hubei province, said she was excited to be part of such a pivotal moment in Chinese history and had no hesitation in backing her leader.
“Xi has shown us the right direction in development and if you have found the right path why change?” she said before placing her ballot into one of 28 boxes in the Great Hall. “We need a strong leadership which can keep leading us forwards.”
But some critics say the move is not only against the public interest but also makes Xi politically vulnerable in the long run.
The parliament’s chairman, Zhang Dejiang, told delegates it was time to get behind Xi’s push to make China great again.
“The great dream of national rejuvenation encourages us to keep striving; the great era inspires us to forge ahead,” Zhang said.
“Let us hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, thoroughly study and apply Xi Jinping Thought … and realise the Chinese Dream.”
>Juthy Saha
China's Xi Jinping to Rule for Life
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